Provided Photo Courtesy of NYSDEC
HANCOCK, N.Y. — If you believe that New York is free of venomous snakes, think again. A rattler native to the State was rescued in a neighboring county.
The Empire State is home to copperheads, timber rattlesnakes and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes.
Just a few days ago, one was discovered trapped in a garage in the Town of Hancock in Delaware County.
A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officer responded to the July 25 call.
The officer arrived to find the snake entangled in black mesh netting, hanging from the garage wall.
The officer carefully removed the snake, freed it from the mesh and released it unharmed back into the wild, away from the house.
“Timber rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers, native to New York State. These snakes are generally found in small, localized areas and are considered a threatened species protected by State law. Timber rattlesnakes seldom display aggression unless in defense. The public is reminded to leave snakes alone, observe them from a safe distance, and call ECOs if they need a snake removed,” according to State DEC.
