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There Are Absolutely No Poisonous Snakes In New Jersey

I know what you're thinking right now, you only clicked on this article to see just how wrong it was.

You may have thought...Clickbait.

There are definitely some people who didn't click on this article at all and just B-lined it to the comments section and are currently writing a nasty comment about how dumb I am.

Well, my friends, I will have the last laugh here. Why, you ask? Well, because I am in the right.

Before you get all up in arms yelling at me and quoting incorrect articles that have told you all about the two "poisonous" snakes we have in New Jersey, let me tell you that those articles are completely wrong.

New Jersey does not have any poisonous snakes.

If you want to get even more specific, there is not a single poisonous snake in the world.

New Jersey has venomous snakes, two of them to be exact.

What's the difference between venomous and poisonous?

Poisonous applies to things that transfer a toxin if you touch or consume it.

An example of a poisonous animal would be a poison dart frog.

Snakes are venomous because they inject their toxin into you with their fangs. You ca touch a snake without being effected by the toxin.

Does New Jersey have venomous snakes?

Yes, we do have two VENOMOUS snakes in New Jersey.

We have the northern copperhead and the eastern timber rattlesnake.

Chances are you won't find a northern copperhead here at the Jersey Shore, they prefer to stay up in North Jersey.

However, you may have a run-in with an eastern timber rattlesnake.

Does New Jersey have water moccasins?

No, we do not have water moccasins (cottonmouth snakes) in New Jersey. However, we have plenty of species that you may find swimming in the local lake.

The eastern timber rattlesnake is an endangered species here in New Jersey and the northern copperhead has been listed under special concern.

If you do spot one of these two venomous snakes it's best to keep your distance and call the NJDEP Endangered and Nongame Species at (609) 628-2103 or after office hours/weekends at (877) WARN-DEP.

Please don't kill these creatures, they are an important part of the ecosystem.

What to do if you get bit by a venomous snake?

If you do get too close to either one of the venomous snakes and get bit don't do this:

  • DON'T try to extract the venom. I've seen plastic syringes that are marketed to extract the venom. Spoiler alert: that doesn't work. Don't try to suck the venom out either...
  • DON'T put on a tight bandage. If it will take longer than 30 minutes for you to receive medical attention, wrap a bandage about 2-4 inches above the bite. Do not wrap it too tight to restrict blood flow.
  • DON'T apply a cold compress.
  • DON'T cut the wound open. I can't think of why this would be thought to be a good idea...
  • Oddly enough, just because you were bitten does not mean you have had venom injected into your body. Sometimes snakes bite without injecting any venom.

    However, if you are bit by a venomous snake call 9-1-1 immediately and do these things:

  • STAY CALM. Think of it this way. If the snake did inject venom into your bloodstream, panicking will only make it spread through your body quicker with your accelerated heart rate.
  • CLEAN THE BITE. Wash the area with soap and water.
  • KEEP THE BITE AREA LOW. Keep the wound below your heart.
  • WAIT FOR HELP TO ARRIVE. Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Either have someone take you or wait for an ambulance to arrive.
  • All of this can be avoided by just respecting the snakes and keeping your distance. Snakes don't ambush people, they are more afraid of us than we are of them.

    You can own a variety of snakes as pets, obviously not the two native venomous ones. However, you may be surprised that these animals are perfectly legal to have as a pet in New Jersey.

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    How To Get Rid Of Snakes

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    While the vast majority of snakes are completely harmless—and even beneficial—to you and your yard, let's face it: they're not the most pleasant critter to have around. Snakes are long, thin, carnivorous reptiles without limbs. They belong to the suborder Serpentes, and worldwide, there are more than 3,000 different species. Snakes are ectothermic, and unable to regulate their own body temperature. This means they'll search for a warm location to live and tend to their young when it gets cold outside.

    Especially in the United States, most snakes are non-venomous. In fact, according to the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, it's estimated that over 90% of the snake species found in the contiguous U.S. Are not poisonous. As such, any advice or guidance you'll find in this article will be geared toward the presence of non-venomous snakes.

    Here, we'll discuss everything you need to know about how to get rid of snakes if they've invaded your yard.

    How to Identify Snakes

    If you're unsure what type of snake you're dealing with in your yard or home, it's best to contact a professional. But for quick reference, we've included the following chart that can help you identify which type of snake you're seeing

    Some of the most common non-venomous snakes you'll find slithering around your yard are green snakes, garter snakes, rat snakes and king snakes.

  • Green snakes: These small, arboreal snakes are easily identifiable by their bright green color. Green snakes feast on small insects like crickets and moths.
  • Garter snakes: These snakes can grow as long as two to four feet in length, and love to hide out on forest floors. They eat small amphibians like lizards and frogs.
  • Rat snakes: Rat snakes are completely harmless to humans, preferring to snack on – you guessed it – rats. But they can grow huge, which can be alarming to people. Rat snakes can grow to a massive ten feet long, and are dark in color with a lighter underbelly.
  • King snakes: These snakes are easily confused with the venomous coral snake, thanks to its red, yellow and black bands. They typically feast on mice, rats and other, smaller snakes.
  • Where Are Snakes Usually Found?

    Snakes enjoy many habitats, including swamps, grasslands, forests, deserts and yes, yards. Some can spend time in water while others prefer dry land. If you have snakes in your yard, they've likely found a pleasant spot in which to nest and a source of food as well. Snakes are predators, eating anything from insects to birds and even chicken eggs.

    If you have a chicken coop, you could have a snake benefiting from free eggs laying around. The same goes for ponds with fish. Woodpiles and dense brush are other favorite hiding spots for snakes.

    What Are the Signs That You Have a Snake Infestation?

    How do you know if you have snakes commandeering your backyard when you're not paying attention? Here are some of the classic signs of a snake infestation:

  • You see snakeskins in your yard
  • You notice small, one to two inch holes in your yard that aren't explained by something else
  • You see curvy tracks in dirt or dust
  • You notice snake droppings (which look similar to bird droppings)
  • You have chickens and eggs are going missing without explanation
  • What Damage Can Snakes Cause, and Are They Dangerous?

    Despite their bad reputation for being dangerous and scary, in reality, the vast majority of snakes are neither. They won't damage structures or landscaping like more insidious pests such as rats, roaches and squirrels, and they tend to shy away from any sort of contact with humans.

    When it comes to snakes, there are two main concerns to be aware of, and both are minor. According to the CDC, snakes and many other reptiles carry Salmonella in their saliva. While this germ is harmful to humans, it's typically only an issue when cleaning reptile tanks and other surroundings; not as much if you simply have snakes living in your yard.

    If you keep chickens or ducks, it's important to note that snakes will happily eat the eggs you're hoping to have for yourself. This can be difficult to identify, since snakes tend to swallow eggs whole, leaving no evidence. You'll simply notice you're suddenly missing eggs that you intended to enjoy for yourself.

    How to Prevent Snakes in Your Yard

    As long as they're non-venomous, snakes can be a beneficial addition to your yard, taking care of insect, rat and mice overpopulation. But many people are afraid of snakes, no matter what type or size. If you're wondering how to get rid of snakes in a yard, here are some things you can try:

  • Use gravel or river rocks for landscaping: Snakes enjoy flat, even surfaces rather than rough or uneven ones, so it's best to avoid grass or mulch in places you don't want snakes.
  • Get rid of bird feeders: The food attracts mice, which are prey for snakes.
  • Drain ponds or other water features: Water attracts snakes, so avoid having standing water anywhere on your property.
  • Store animal food: This prevents excessive numbers of insects and mice, both of which are natural prey for snakes. Keep pet and livestock feed in bins with tightly fitted lids.
  • Keep your grass cut short: This makes it more difficult for snakes to hide.
  • Avoid using mulch or large rocks: Both of these landscaping elements provide prime hiding spots for snakes.
  • Avoid large, bushy shrubs and crawling plants like ivy: These also give snakes a perfect hiding place. Neatly trimmed shrubs like boxwoods are a good option if you truly don't want snakes in your yard.
  • How to Get Rid of Snakes In Your Yard

    If you're wondering how to get rid of snakes in your yard, there are a few things you can do on your own. Assuming you see a snake while you're out working in your yard, and you're sure it's a non-venomous snake, try spraying a garden hose at it to prompt it to move on.

    Otherwise, you can soak rags in ammonia and place them around the perimeter of your home in order to repel snakes. Another option is to install a pole that will attract snake predators like owls or hawks in order to scare snakes away.

    How Much Does it Cost to Get Rid of Snakes?

    If you choose to hire a professional to remove snakes from your property, you can expect to pay an average of $150 to remove a snake from your yard. If it's made its way into your home, and it's a non-venomous snake, you might pay closer to $350 to $500.

    The removal company will likely work to catch the snake and remove it from your property, rather than killing it.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What's the best way to trap a snake?

    Believe it or not, glue traps are among the most common and effective types of traps for snakes. These traps are boxes that contain bait that's attractive to snakes, and an extremely sticky substance inside, which adheres to the snake once it enters the trap. These inexpensive traps come in different sizes, depending on the size of the snake you're looking to trap, and are considered a humane way to catch snakes.

    Once you've caught the snake, simply pour oil over the snake in order to release it from the glue. It goes without saying that this method should ONLY be used on non-venomous snakes.

    What smell will keep snakes away?

    Ammonia. Snakes have an intense dislike for this smell, making it a great method to try if you're wondering how to get rid of snakes. Soak rags in ammonia and place them along the perimeter of your yard or home as a deterrent. Note that this will need to be redone periodically in order to keep the smell strong enough.

    What attracts snakes to your house?

    Food sources are the biggest attractant for snakes. Anything that attracts mice, rats, lizards or insects to your yard or home will, in turn, also attract snakes.


    Warmer Weather Brings Hikers And Snakes Out In Columbia Basin: How To Stay Safe

    Tri-Cities, Wash. — Weather is warming up around the Columbia Basin, and local trails are seeing heavier foot traffic. Leaders from Washington's Department of Fish and Wildlife say this also means snakes and other critters are becoming active as well.

    Jason Fidorra, District Wildlife Biologist for Washington's Department of Fish & Wildlife, says. "In eastern Washington, we have several different species of snakes. Most folks are likely to encounter a common garter snake, which are fairly small, or gopher snakes, and the one we get the most interest in, is the Western Rattlesnake." Fidorra tells us gopher snakes are often confused with rattlesnake sightings due to their similar appearance.

    Wildlife experts explain there's only one venomous snake native to Washington, found around the Columbia Basin including the Tri-Cities area, and that's the Western Rattlesnake.

    "In the Winter, we do have rattlesnakes hibernating. Typically in April, we start to see them emerge, but they're cold blooded, so that's really temperature dependent." Fidorra, explains. "We've had this mild weather, wouldn't be too surprised to see some reptiles out and about."

    If you do believe you've seen a rattlesnake, leaders say it's best to steer clear. He says to avoid moving a snake, and tells us if you're going to take pictures of the creature, it's best to do it from afar.

    "Try to appreciate them from a distance. If you happen to hear a rattlesnake with that tell-tale rattle warning, that's a snake being helpful to you. It's trying to avoid any kind of conflict, it doesn't want to be stepped on, and that's the evolution of that rattle. It's a warning sign so you can move away from it." Fidorra tells us.

    Fish and Wildlife leaders say if you're headed out into snake country, to wear gear which will help protect you from a strike, like boots and long pants.

    Jason Fidorra, says. "If you stick to well-used trails, your chance of an encounter is pretty low. It's not bad to carry a walking stick, to move brush as you're approaching while hiking off-trail. Don't forget about our furry friends, and keep your pets on a leash."

    In the event of a bite, Fish and Wildlife leaders say fatalities are rare, but say it's vital to seek medical attention immediately.

    "You want to keep the victim calm, but get them quickly to a medical facility. It's important to also remove any tight fitting jewelry or clothing, as the site of the bite is going to swell." Fidorra, explains. "If you have any questions, or your medical provider isn't sure of what to do, they can always call the Washington Poison Control." Contact for WA Poison Center is 1 (800) 222-1222.

    Experts say if someone is bit to keep them calm. "You don't want to try to cut out any of the venom. You don't want to suck out any of the venom. You don't want to apply ice, or apply a tourniquet. You just want to keep the limb immobilized if possible, and get medical attention as quickly as possible.






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