Watch Your Step To Avoid These Venomous Snakes Around New York

From out along the Great Lakes to down along Long Island, you’ll find that all throughout the state of New York you can find an assortment of wildlife. While each of the state regions has its own creatures that are prevalently running rampant through the area, there are some forms of wildlife that almost every resident has encountered at one time or another. New Yorkers may think that the only slithering animal they’ll ever encounter is that of an average garter snake, but there’s an even bigger question to be asked: “Does New York have poisonous snakes?” You betcha! Following are those you’ll want to watch out for throughout the Empire State, particularly in the Spring when they start emerging from their winter slumber. Slither along and see for yourself!

USFWS Midwest Region/Flickr

Luckily, for most people in New York, you’ll only encounter one of these snakes along a hiking trail in secluded areas that are away from populated areas and attractions. Or, in more rare circumstances, in your yard or even underneath the hood of your car (good grief!)

Valerie/Flickr

New Yorkers can primarily find these snakes downstate within the Hudson Valley, and sometimes making their way up to places like the southern Adirondacks around Lake George, and other secluded areas of Central New York.

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Frank Kehren/Flickr

They primarily emerge throughout the state during the springtime, right around the time we're beginning to head outdoors to enjoy the fresh, warm weather.

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squamatologist/Flickr

...its always a good idea to keep an eye out in heavily brushed areas, along hiking trails, and other places.

USFWS Midwest Region/Flickr

New Yorkers who call areas between Syracuse and Rochester home should keep an eye out for these guys. As the smallest of the state's venomous snakes, they are only 1 to 3-feet in size and a bit harder to spot.

Heather Katsoulis/Flickr

The most common venomous snake that's here in New York, the Northern Copperhead is another snake that you'll see emerging around the springtime in our state. It thrives throughout the Hudson Valley in wooded areas where our residents like to go hiking and swimming.

If you want to avoid inviting any sort of slithering friends into your residential or commercial area, then be sure to be mindful of keeping rodent populations down, store firewood in a box or shed instead of the outdoors, avoid using wood-based mulch as much as you can, keep your yards clear, and seal any gaps or holes in the foundation that snakes often search for when its time to hibernate.

Lastly, you'll want to seek IMMEDIATE medical attention if you're bitten by any of these three types of venomous snakes.

Have you encountered any of these venomous creatures in New York? Were you scared or more fascinated? Either way, we hope you kept your distance! We’d love to hear about your encounters in the comments section below, and to see your snake pics!

Learn more about wildlife and conservation in New York by going to the official Department of Environmental Conversation website.

If you’re looking for other wildlife adventures in The Empire State, check out these three trails.