Large snake found in Rockland County
If you plan on wandering around Congers Lake, keep your eyes open.
NEW JERSEY – Two separate sightings of a venomous snake in Somerset and Hunterdon counties have triggered warnings from authorities in New Jersey.
GO TO: SNAKE INFO m TIPS
According to a report released on Monday, August 26, a northern moccasin was spotted in the Scott Drive area.
“Residents should be aware that this is a venomous snake. Please contact the Department of Environmental Protection at (908) 638-4381 if you encounter a snake,” police said.
Northern copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen), 2005. Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control (CDC) / Edward J. Wozniak. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Woodlands Wildlife Refuge in Hunterdon County announced in a Facebook post a week earlier that an injured female northern sea snake had been found.
“The female was found injured and brought safely to us where she can receive medical care and attention,” the agency said.
According to the Rutgers University Agricultural Experiment Station in New Jersey, the northern mocca “is found only in the northern half of the state” and is described as a “very shy and secretive snake.”
“Copperheads are docile snakes that do not bite unless provoked,” the website states. “Most bites occur when snakes are intentionally harassed, handled or injured.”
According to experts, the bite of a copperhead snake is rarely fatal.
Police catch snake on street in West Village
According to the New York Police Department, a crawling snake was discovered in the West Village on Sunday.
To prevent possible encounters, the Middle-Brook Regional Health Commission offers the following tips:
- Do not approach, touch or handle a snake.
- If possible, stay away from tall grass and piles of leaves.
- Avoid climbing on rocks or piles of wood where a snake might hide.
- Remember that snakes are most active at dawn and dusk and in warm weather.
- Wear boots and long pants when working outdoors.
- Wear gloves when handling brush and debris.
According to the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, there are 22 species of snakes in New Jersey.
