Venomous snake removed after blocking ‘home’s sole exit’ in Ulster
New York State Environmental Conservation Officers recently received a call from a homeowner in Ulster County concerned that a large snake was on their porch, blocking the home’s sole exit.
When officers arrived, they found the snake – a venomous timber rattlesnake – under the porch of the Wawarsing home “feasting on a rabbit.” According to the official state report, officers “safely relocated the snake and its meal to the back of the property, away from the residence.”
Timber rattlesnakes are the largest venomous snakes in New York State, typically measuring 3 to 4 feet in length. In addition to tan dorsal strip coloring, timber rattlesnakes have a broad, triangular head with many small scales on the crown, bordered by a few large scales over the eyes, the loreal pit and rostrum (nose).
The key feature distinctive to rattlesnakes-providing their namesake-is the rattle, according the DEC, which is made of loosely attached segments made of keratin. A new segment is added to the base of the rattle each time the snake sheds. When vibrated, the segments make rapid contact with each other, resulting in the buzzing sound characteristic of a disturbed rattlesnake.
Timber rattlesnakes are active from late April through mid-October, according to the DEC. Mating season begins early in the summer and continues into autumn; males are especially active during this time.
A rattlesnake will not pursue or attack a person unless threatened or provoked, officials note. But due to population and habitat loss, timber rattlesnakes are listed as Threatened Species in New York State.
If you encounter a timber rattlesnake:
Do not panic! Keep a safe distance of 6ft or more away. Let them move along on their own. Do not kill or collect the individual. Timber rattlesnakes are not aggressive unless provoked.
If an accidental bite occurs, seek medical attention immediately or call 911. To report sighting, or ask questions, contact your Regional Wildlife Office.
Learn more about the Timber rattlesnake, here: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/animals-fish-plants/timber-rattlesnake
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