Here we have an eastern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), one of the species of venomous snakes in Kansas.  They live in heavily wooded areas around rocky outcrops where their lovely colors blend perfectly with the fallen leaves.  Like most snake venoms, copperhead venom contains multiple complex proteins.  One of these proteins is called contortrostatin, and may be used soon in the treatment of cancer.  Contortrostatin blocks the spread of cancer cells from a tumor to other parts of the body.