New Jersey officials caution against handling venomous snakes: 'Stay away'

In Watchung, New Jersey, a Garden State borough located less than an hour from New York City, wildlife officials issued a warning to be cautious of northern copperhead snakes after one was spotted last week.

The copperhead snake is characterized by two shades of copper or a reddish-brown hue.

The N.J. Division of Fish and Wildlife stated in their "Snakes of New Jersey" publication that snakes can be found in rocky fields, berry thickets, woodlands, and farmlands, as well as in old mulch piles.

According to the source, this species is one of the two venomous snakes found in New Jersey.

Copperheads have been present in the northern half of New Jersey for a long time, and most people who reside in areas with copperheads live peacefully with them, often unaware of their presence, according to Tyler Christensen, a PhD candidate studying copperheads at Rutgers University's Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

"The most beneficial action for a resident is to master distinguishing copperheads from other nonvenomous snakes, including water snakes, milk snakes, and garter snakes, and to know how to react if they encounter a copperhead."

Despite the warning being issued for New Jersey, snakes are also present in other regions of the country.

Here's a deeper dive.

What else should people know about copperheads?

Christensen stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that Copperheads are not as dangerous as their reputation implies.

He observed that they were surprisingly calm and docile, relying on their camouflage rather than their venom to defend themselves from predators and humans.

"As a last-resort defensive measure, a bite is usually delivered by vipers, and their venom is relatively mild compared to other species."

How do these snakes hide in the outdoors?

These snakes often blend into their surroundings.

Scott L. Parker, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Biology at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, stated that copperheads are extremely cryptic (i.e. camouflaged) so they can be very difficult to spot against a background of leaves, brush and twigs to Planet Chronicle Digital.

"Don’t put your hands and feet anywhere where you can’t see them."

People should stay away from copperhead snakes if they come across them, as warned by Parker.

""Copperheads do not want to interact with humans," he stated. They will not attack and will attempt to flee if left alone."

"Be cautious when walking outside at night in the summer by keeping your hands and feet away from areas you can't see, wearing shoes, and using a flashlight."

In the eastern U.S., particularly in the Southeast, millions of people reside near copperheads without being aware of their presence.

What's the best way to stay safe?

The University of Virginia offers these tips on its website to avoid possible encounters with copperheads.

• Wear boots when hiking and avoid open-toed footwear
• Use a flashlight at night when walking after sunset
• Snakes are frequently found in the banks of streams, rivers, and lakes.
• Never touch or pick up a snake

In most cases, it is recommended to leave a copperhead alone if encountered in a natural setting, according to Christensen at Rutgers University.

He stated that most bites happen when individuals attempt to handle or relocate the snake on their own.

He advised against capturing or killing the copperhead if bitten.

"Just get yourself to a hospital for treatment."