Officials with the Somerset County, New Jersey, Department of Conservation have issued a warning to be on the lookout for northern copperheads 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 being bi-copper or reddish-brown in color.
It “inhabits rocky fields, berry thickets, forests and farmland and can even be discovered among old mulch piles,” the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife explained in a publication titled “Snakes of New Jersey.”
According to the same source, this species is one of two venomous snakes found in New Jersey.
“Copperheads have always been present in the northern half of New Jersey, and most people who live in areas with copperheads coexist with them without conflict, often without even being aware of their existence,” said Tyler Christensen, a doctoral student who studies 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 how to distinguish copperheads from more common, nonvenomous snake species – such as water snakes, milk snakes and garter snakes – and how to respond if they see a copperhead.”
Although the warning was issued for New Jersey, the snakes are widespread in other parts of the country.
Here’s a deeper look.
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 camouflage rather than venom to defend themselves against predators and humans,” he noted.
“A bite is usually a last resort and their venom is mild compared to most vipers.”
How do these snakes hide outdoors?
These snakes often blend into their surroundings.
“Copperheads are extremely stealthy (i.e. well camouflaged), making them very difficult to spot against a background of leaves, brush and twigs,” Scott L. Parker, PhD, professor and head of the biology department at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, told Fox News Digital.
Parker warned people not to touch or approach copperhead snakes if they see or encounter these animals.
“Copperheads don’t want anything to do with people,” he said.
“They will not attack and if left alone they will quickly try to escape.”
“To avoid accidental stings, do not place your hands and feet where you cannot see them, and always wear shoes and use a flashlight when outside at dusk or after dark in the summer.”
Parker also said, “Millions of people in the Eastern United States, especially in the Southeast, live in close proximity to copperheads and are not even aware of this fact.”
How can I best protect myself?
To prevent possible encounters with copperheads, the University of Virginia provides the following tips on its website:
- When hiking, wear boots and avoid open shoes.
- Use a flashlight when walking at night after sunset
- Remember that snakes are often found along the banks of streams, rivers and lakes.
- Never touch or pick up a snake
If you encounter a copperhead snake in the wild, in most cases you should just leave it alone, recommends Christensen of Rutgers University.
“Most bites occur when people try to touch or move the snake themselves,” he added.
“If you are bitten by a copperhead snake, do not attempt to catch or kill the snake,” he also said.
“Just go to a hospital and get treatment.”
