'[This] isn't what you see everyday': Photo shows copperheads, rattlesnake sharing one rocky hideout

A striking photo from Pennsylvania is giving nature lovers a rare look at something many people would probably walk right past: copperheads and a timber rattlesnake sharing the same hangout.

On Reddit, a post from central Pennsylvania highlighted three pit vipers in a single frame — two copperheads and one rattlesnake.

Because the snakes blend into the setting so effectively, many people in the comments said they did not spot them all at first.

Here's what to know

In the thread, the poster first labeled the image "Pennsylvania pit vipers sharing a spot" and later cleared up confusion in the comments with: "3. The black part is the backend of the rattlesnake."

One person wrote, "This is a good find."

The poster also responded to a question about how often different snake species occupy the same place, writing, "I'm no expert but I think the simple idea is that they will have overlapping habitat, so if a spot supports a population of each species and its good for both they will both be there. It's not unheard of but also isn't what you see everyday."

More background

Moderators removed a number of comments that tried to pin down the snakes' exact location, explaining that keeping wildlife spots vague online helps protect animals from poachers.

Limiting location details can help reduce unnecessary human traffic and give animals a better chance to thrive in their natural habitats.

What can be done?

If you are hiking in snake habitat, staying on trails, watching where you place your hands and feet, and giving animals distance can reduce the chance of a dangerous encounter.

It also helps to resist the urge to share exact wildlife locations online.

The original poster noted that this was "a spot I already know of snakes frequenting in the summer."

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