Wildlife officials have issued a warning in Somerset County, New Jersey, to beware of northern copperhead snakes after one of the species was spotted last week in Watchung, a Garden State borough less than an hour from New York City.
The northern copperhead snake is described as having two shades of copper or a reddish-brown color.
“It inhabits rocky fields, berry groves, woodlands and farmland and can even be found among old mulch piles,” the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife said in a publication “Snakes of New Jersey.”
This species is one of two venomous snakes found in New Jersey, according to the same source.
“There have always been copperheads in the northern half of New Jersey, and most people who live in copperhead areas coexist with them without conflict, often without even realizing they are there,” said Tyler Christensen, a doctoral student studying copperheads in the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
“The best thing a resident can do is learn to distinguish copperheads from more common nonvenomous snake species, such as water snakes, milk snakes and garter snakes, and understand how to react if they see a copperhead.”
Although the warning was issued for New Jersey, the snakes are prevalent in other parts of the country.
Here’s a deeper dive.
What else should people know about copperheads?
Copperheads are much less dangerous than their reputation suggests, Christensen told Fox News Digital.
“They are surprisingly calm and docile, relying on their camouflage rather than venom to defend themselves from predators and humans,” he noted.
“A bite is usually administered as a last resort in self-defense, and their venom is mild compared to that of most vipers.”
How do these snakes hide outside?
These snakes often blend into their surroundings.
“Copperheads are extremely cryptic (i.e., camouflaged), so they can be very difficult to spot against a background of leaves, brush and twigs,” Scott L. Parker, PhD, professor and chair of the biology department at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, told Fox News Digital.
Parker warned people to avoid touching or approaching copperhead snakes if they see or encounter the animals.
“Copperheads want nothing to do with humans,” he said.
“They will not attack and if left alone they will quickly try to escape.”
“To avoid being accidentally bitten, keep your hands and feet out of sight, and always wear shoes and use a flashlight when walking outside at dusk or after dark in the summer.”
Parker also said, “Millions of people in the eastern United States, especially the Southeast, live in close proximity to copperheads and don’t even realize they’re nearby.”
What is the best way to stay safe?
To avoid potential encounters with copperheads, the University of Virginia provides these tips on its website:
- Wear boots when hiking and avoid open-toed shoes.
- Use a flashlight at night when walking after sunset
- Be aware that the banks of streams, rivers and lakes are common places where snakes can be found.
- Never touch or pick up a snake
If you encounter a copperhead in a natural environment, in most cases you should just leave it alone, recommends Christensen of Rutgers University.
“Most bites occur when people try to handle or move the snake themselves,” he added.
“If you are bitten by a copperhead snake, do not attempt to capture or kill the snake,” he also said.
“Just go to the hospital to get treated.”
New York Post
