There are 23 different species of snakes in the state of New Jersey. Out of these, there are 2 venomous snake species. This article will describe each snake and tell you where you’ll likely find them in New Jersey.
- Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
- Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix)
Pit Vipers
Both of New Jersey’s venomous snakes belong to the Crotalinae or pit viper family. Another name for these snakes is pit vipers. Pit vipers have pits between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are specialized heat-sensing organs. They use them to detect body heat from prey animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They are also able to detect body heat from up to 1 meter away.
Members of the pit viper family also have a large triangular head. It is attached to a comparatively slender neck. Furthermore, they have elliptical pupils that are vertical slits. This is a defining characteristic because a nonvenomous snake generally has round pupils.
Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. These snakes play an important role in maintaining balance in rodent populations.
Timber Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name: | Crotalus horridus |
| Description: | Adult Timber Rattlesnakes grow between 36 and 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. Their bodies are yellowish-brown with a dark chevron pattern. They also have a rusty stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. |
| Habitat: | Timber Rattlesnakes prefer wooded areas and hillsides with rocky outcroppings. |
| Conservation status: | They are endangered in New Jersey. |
Timber Rattler and Canebrake Rattlesnake are both common names for the Timber Rattlesnake. Generally, in higher-elevation habitats, they are called Timber Rattlesnakes. On the coastal plain, though, they’re called Canebrake Rattlesnakes.
The average Timber Rattlesnake grows between 36 and 60 inches (.91 to 1.52m) long. However, there have been reports of them growing up to 7 feet (2.13m) long. See
These snakes vary in color. Their general base coloration is a yellowish-brown to grey-brown, though. They have a dark brown to black chevron pattern on their back and sides against a lighter base color. This chevron pattern turns to dark bands on their dark brown or black tails. They also have a rusty to reddish stripe down their backs. Their tails are dark brown or black. There are also melanistic timber rattlers. These are dark and sometimes almost entirely black. In the dark color morph of these snakes, the tail is also darker than the rest of the snake’s body.
The Northern Water Snake and the Eastern Milk Snake have something in common. They both are Garden State snake species that are sometimes confused with rattlesnakes. Both snakes have varying color morphs. Certain individuals look a bit like rattlesnakes. Milk snakes even imitate the tail rattle of a rattlesnake sometimes. If they vibrate their tails in dry leaves, the effect can be quite convincing.
Where Do Timber Rattlesnakes Live in New Jersey?
The Timber rattlesnake resides in three specific regions in New Jersey.
In the north, they live on Kittatinny Ridge. They also live in the northernmost portion of the highlands. This includes the mountainous areas of Warren, Sussex, Passaic, Morris, and Bergen counties.
In southern New Jersey, they inhabit the Pinelands region. They’re also in adjacent parts of Cumberland, Ocean, Burlington, and Atlantic counties.
The Timber Rattlesnake lives in various habitats. These include deciduous forests, pine forests, swamps, farm fields, and river floodplains. These snakes are marvelous climbers and have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. Source
Wintertime Brumation
Snakes do not tolerate the cold weather in the winter months very well. They are ectotherms, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature internally. Physiologically, ectotherms cannot hibernate. Yet, they go into a state of suspended animation called brumation for up to 6 months out of the year.
Timber Rattlesnakes winter underneath rocks, in hollow logs, and in rock fissures. An individual might brumate alone in some parts of their range. However, in some areas, they congregate together in a communal den with other snakes.
In hilly terrain, south-facing slopes capture more radiant warmth from the sun. So, that is where these dens are generally located. Rock ledges with deep cracks are likely denning sites.
The other snakes they den with are not necessarily just copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with different types of snakes. You may find a Copperhead, or a Black Rat Snake, sharing the same den with copperheads. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
What Do Timber Rattlesnakes Eat?
Timber rattlers prey on small mammals such as mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, and bats. They also eat small birds, other reptiles, and amphibians.
The experts have proven that timber rattlesnakes help control Lyme disease. This is because as they consume rodents, they’re also consuming ticks. A timber rattler will consume 2,500 to 4,500 ticks per year, depending on the location. See
What Eats Timber Rattlesnakes?
There are several potential predators of Timber Rattlesnakes in New Jersey. These include Eastern Milksnakes, Eastern Black Racers, birds of prey, skunks, and bobcats.
How Dangerous Are Timber Rattlesnakes?
Timber Rattlesnakes are among the most dangerous snakes in North America. This is due to their large size, long fangs, and high venom yield. 1% to 10% of the time, an untreated Timber Rattlesnake bite results in a fatality.
The good news is that these snakes have a relatively mild disposition. They generally give ample warning before actually striking defensively. Also, 40% to 60% of the time, they produce dry bites. In other words, although their fangs penetrate the body, they do not inject any venom. Source
These snakes produce hemotoxic venom. In other words, it destroys red blood cells. Timber Rattlesnake bites sometimes cause serious complications. These include shock, seizures, coma, internal bleeding, and deep tissue damage. Source
Why Are Timber Rattlesnakes Endangered In New Jersey?
Timber rattlers are an endangered species in New Jersey. We’ll go over some of the problems the species faces in New Jersey in this section.
Human encroachment in their historic range has a huge impact on their populations. As Timber Rattlesnake populations shrink, the diminished genetic base promulgates inbreeding depression. In turn, this leaves the successive generations less genetically fit for survival.
Timber Rattlesnakes don’t deal with alterations to their environment very well. They tend to use the same basking and denning sites through multiple generations. When a new housing development appears over one of these areas, the snakes are no longer welcome. Source
Roads also make things quite a bit harder for the average timber rattler. It’s obvious that snakes are sometimes killed on roadways. But paved roads also serve as barriers between timber rattlesnake populations. This inhibits gene flow between populations and promotes inbreeding depression.
Paved roads in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens are barriers between Timber Rattlesnake populations. Arcadia University and College of New Jersey research reveals this to be the case. Source
SFD, or snake fungal disease, is also present in New Jersey Timber Rattlesnakes. This is a potentially fatal disease. It spreads through snakes and reptiles through physical contact. It has potentially huge detrimental possibilities for Timber Rattlesnake populations.
Also, see: Rattlesnakes in New Hampshire
Eastern Copperhead
| Scientific Name: | Agkistrodon contortrix |
| Description: | Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long. Their bodies are coppery brown overlayed with dark brown hourglass blotches. |
| Habitat: | Deciduous forests, river bottoms, and rocky wooded hillsides. |
| Conservation Status: | Species of special concern in New Jersey |
The Eastern Copperhead is a pit viper native to the eastern and mid-western United States.
Eastern Copperhead snakes have reddish-tan to grayish-tan bodies. Their bodies are overlaid with hourglass-shaped dark brown markings. Their triangular heads are proportionately large. The color of their head is dark coppery brown. This is the reason they have the name “Copperhead.”
Copperheads are stout heavy-bodied snakes. Adult copperheads are 20 to 37 inches (50 to 95 cm) long.
Where Do Eastern Copperhead Snakes Live In New Jersey?
Eastern Copperheads are scattered throughout the northern part of the state. This is primarily in Warren, Hunterdon, Passaic, and Sussex County.
They are found in the Sourland Mountain region. This lies in Somerset, Mercer, and Hunterdon counties. They also live in western Bergen County.
Watch for these snakes in wooded areas such as river bottoms. They prefer areas where the leaf and plant debris provide cover for them to hide. This could also, at times, include wooded suburbs.
They are listed as a species of special concern in New Jersey.
Eastern Copperhead Behavior
Copperheads have excellent camouflage coloration. It helps them blend in with leaf litter and other ground debris. Furthermore, they use camouflage as their number one defense mechanism. In other words, these snakes choose to lie perfectly still rather than flee most of the time.
For defensive behavior, they occasionally mimic the tail vibration of a rattlesnake. But, in most cases, they choose to lie perfectly still.
Most copperhead bites on humans occur when the person steps on or near the snake.
Wintertime Brumation
As we discussed in the section on Timber Rattlesnakes, snakes brumate in the winter. Brumation is a reptile’s version of hibernation.
Copperheads make wintertime dens in sheltered spots. They den underneath rocks and logs, as well as in fissures in rocky hillsides. An individual Copperhead might brumate alone in some parts of their range. But in other areas, they congregate in dens with other snakes through the winter.
Dens are usually placed on slopes facing south because they get more warmth from the sun. They don’t always share their dens only with Copperheads. Sometimes, they share their dens with other species of snakes. These might include Timber Rattlesnakes or Black Rat Snakes. These wintertime dens may hold up to 60 snakes.
What Do Eastern Copperheads Eat?
Copperheads prey on a variety of species. Their menu includes small rodents, amphibians, small birds, snakes, lizards, and insects.
How Dangerous are Copperheads?
A Copperhead can bite and inject venom when they are newly born. Like most pit vipers, they have hemotoxic venom.
Most copperhead bites are not life-threatening. On the other hand, any bite from this snake is a medical emergency and should be treated as such. If a copperhead bite victim gets medical help fast, they have a better chance of a positive outcome.
Copperhead bites can cause intense pain, shock, and swelling. Their bites also have the potential to cause blood in urine, tissue damage, and kidney failure.
An interesting study has found that Copperhead venom contains a protein called contortrostatin. Contortrostatin has been found to stop the growth of cancer cells in mice.
Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites
Some of the symptoms you may experience when a venomous snake bites you include:
- Discoloration in the area of the bite.
- Swelling in the area of the bite.
- Loss of muscle coordination.
- Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Having an elevated heart rate.
What Should You Do if You Are Bitten?
If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. Because timely administration of antivenom creates a greater chance of a positive outcome. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical attention.
Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate and often do. If you have a phone, take a photo of the snake. Otherwise, get started on your way to the nearest hospital.
First Aid for Snake Bite Victims
- The best thing you can do is remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
- Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.
- Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
- Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
- You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
- You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.
- Get prompt medical treatment. Call the hospital to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have antivenom ready to give you when you arrive.
- A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.
Dressing for Snake Country
- It’s a good idea to wear high-top leather boots and long pants.
- Also, wear loose-fitting denim. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
- In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.
Also see:
Wild Cats in New Jersey – Krebs Creek
