Missouri’s #1 Copperhead Hotspot is an Ancient Volcano

I've seen my share of copperhead snakes in Missouri and while I don't remember the exact number, it was too many. I will admit that I was surprised to learn that the #1 hotspot for these venomous snakes in Missouri used to be an ancient volcano.

Here's the one critter you don't want to come across when you're camping or hiking in Missouri

This snake fan believes that copperheads are beautiful and I won't argue about the pretty designs on their skin, but this is one of the most common and also one of the most dangerous snakes in Missouri. According to a new article by World Atlas, the #1 hotspot for copperheads in Missouri is Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. That region, by the way, also happens to be the region in Missouri in the St. Francois Mountains that used to be very volcanic.

Should Missouri be worried about these ancient volcanoes?

Nope. The volcanoes that used to be present in this part of Missouri are now dormant, but you should be concerned about the plethora of copperhead snakes that call those mountains home. Copperheads can strike you with a hemotoxic venom that causes severe pain, swelling, and tissue damage. While they aren't normally aggressive, they will strike if threatened and if you're not near someplace where you can get medical help quickly, you could be in real trouble.