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Uh, some of these copperheads we have around here will attempt to drive a human off of what they apparently consider their territory, or away from what they consider “their” food. (Say, those 6-8” bluegills on my stringer, that the snake can’t possibly swallow, but he’s determined to try, anyway.)

I know the above is not the “narrative”, but I and others with me have witnessed it repeatedly. I am totally serious in postulating that the copperheads and possibly some water moccasins in at least some locations have adapted to most humans retreating from them, instead of making the snake lunch. (Some of the locations I frequent are primarily fishing ponds / lakes, and very few fishermen bring along anything that can safely dispatch a poisonous snake. So, the fishermen / women typically “skedaddle”. But, many of these are “family fishing areas”, for one thing — one is also very nicely set up for handicapped anglers.

Alternately, if Mr. Copperhead thinks I’m going to abandon a stringer with a dozen nice bluegill on it, he’s not going to repeat that mistake. I had this happen and the snake absolutely refused to retreat — that’s when I ran to my car, got my machete — it took at least 2-3 minutes to get back, and then I performed a Muslim ritual.)

At home — Again, I had many a pet snake in my younger years, and even now, if anything from a ringneck to a big black rat snake turns up on our property and is easily caught, I’ll snag it, show it to my young daughter, and if it’s docile will let her handle it, before releasing it. They (rat snakes particularly) help keep the mice down. But with a poisonous snake, I’m not going to risk that my daughter or a neighbor kid could be harmed.

A spray bottle full of rubbing alcohol will send the worst “attacking snake” on its way.

So will just vinegar, really.

I’m sorry but I’d have to witness Pit Mocs doing such things to believe it.

The myth of snakes chasing humans is an old, die hard one.

You state... "Uh, some of these copperheads we have around here will attempt to drive a human off of what they apparently consider their territory, or away from what they consider “their” food. (Say, those 6-8” bluegills on my stringer, that the snake can’t possibly swallow, but he’s determined to try, anyway.)"

False. Copperheads are not territorial. You'd be surprised what a snake can swallow. But, given that, you're probably seeing a banded water snake which in some instances can look vaguely like a copperhead if you squint or don't know snakes at all. What you're seeing is the snake seeing a meal, going in to investigate, a person seeing the snake, getting close to "rescue" the catch and the snake preparing to defend itself because there is this hulking moron standing over it.

I've seen people call all sorts of snake behavior aggressive when it isn't. People will also call everything in the world a copperhead or a water moccasin. Most of the time, it's not.

Just as an example, this is a Crotalus Horridus or Eastern Timber Rattler. I spent 30 minutes taking photos of it in the wild. No need to kill it, I went my way, it went it's way after it let me take dozens of shots.

The point is, people kill snakes out of fear and because of the horror stories that ignorant people tell about these animals. There really isn't a need to kill them and there is ample reason not to.