This is a very old post, but since the original specimens come from me, I feel that I should comment. By way of books by Chris Mattison (several) , John Mehrtens ( yes, its old ) and various other South Eastern and South- Mid-Western United States field guides, I think that It's pretty simple to see the difference between the four subspieces. No doubt that there are thousands doing the rounds that carry several traits, once again coming down to the fact that Copperheads will mate with anything. The way I see it, is that the brilliantly orange adult individuals with symetricall crossbands that show very little curve or 'hourglass' markings, and that are breeding productively at 40cms, are definitely Southerns. Anything bigger or browner that comes our way, gets given away. I think I can speak in confidence with regards to 8 or 9 years of breeding this specific type and hope that there is no more confusion surrounding our non-Trans-Pecos/het for Broad banded come Northern Neighbours.
Most people cannot take a photo of a snake and do it justice, I am one of them.
Please think before you criticise.
Both these snakes are tiny but the female that is in shed, drops no less than 12 babies every year.