2 Poisonous Snakes Live In The Hudson Valley: What To Do If You Find One

Of the three poisonous snakes that live in New York State, two of them are native to the Hudson Valley.

According to the College of Environmental Science and Forestry, New York is home to 17 species of snakes, three of them being venomous. Even though all three are uncommon in New York, of the three venomous snakes, two of those species live in the Hudson Valley. The two venomous snakes in our local area are the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead snakes.

The timber rattlesnake has a rattle on the end of its tail/body. It is a thick snake that can reach up to six feet long. A timber rattlesnake also has a wide head. A copperhead snake doesn’t have a rattle but will shake it’s tail when annoyed, according to the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The copperhead is easy to spot because of its coppery-red head and bands across its body.

If you see one of these snakes, the College of Environmental Science and Forestry says to stay away and simply leave it alone. Neither of these snakes are aggressive species but they will bite when handled. If you are bitten by a venomous snake, immediately seek medical attention. Bites from the timber rattlesnake and copperhead are rarely fatal to healthy adults.