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Poisonous snake sighting?

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Scallywag

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I was hiking in Franklin Township (Somerset County) last week when I spooked something in a creek. I was jumping rocks up the stream when I saw something splash from a shallow pool. I looked for a fish but saw nothing. Then I went to step again and saw what it was. It was definitely a snake. I didnt get a great look at it but I did see the head which seemed very dark in color and triangular shaped. It turned back towards me as I stepped and when I realized what it was, I jumped back and it took off in the opposite direction. I was in a heavily shaded area and had sunglasses on, so that may explain the coloring. According to what I've read, we do not have cottonmouths in NJ. The only snake I'm aware of here to be poisonous is a timber rattler. Is there anything else that possibly fits my description? That head was unmistakeable.

 

I've seen a lot off wildlife on my hikes, including bears and coyotes... This is one of the few times I got scared ha ha.

 

Thanks.

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Never mind, apparently there are a bunch of species of Copperhead. They are native to NJ too. I guess the term cottonmouth or water moccasin is not what we would refer to the ones here in NJ. I don't know if it was because it was in the water or the heavy shade but the color looked almost black. Very different from the pictures I saw.

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I'm thinking its a northern Copperhead. Can't be sure and was not going to try to wgt a better look.

 

Philly, your info-graphic has taught me a lot! Thanks lol. I thought I remember someone referring to Copperheads as Cottonmouths but I'm probably just mistaken. Didn't look anything like a timber rattler but size and shape seems to fit with copperhead.

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According to the NJDEP, there are only two venomous snakes native to NJ. Copperheads and Rattlers. I've seen a couple of copperheads, but never a rattler. There are some big snakes in this state that would scare the poop out of me, venomous or not.

 

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/snake_broch07.pdf

Just b/c you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD....
(what you do DOES make a difference - be accountable)
BigWave Dave
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Dave. I've never seen a rattler either but I'm cautious when I hike. I think its time to get some Gators.

 

John, I've seen many Northern Water Snakes and I can't say for sure this wasn't one but the head was shaped different. I've never seen a head like that in the wild. The color was about the only thing I couldn't make out too well. It happened really fast.

 

Philly, I always try to get pics and my phone was in hand at the time for that reason. I was spooked though and like I said, it happened fast.

[img=

http://www.stripersonline.com/content/type/61/id/1799462/width/1000/height/1000]

 

Both same location but different directions. The top pic is probably 3 seconds before I saw the snake.

 

BTW, not afraid of snakes at all. I've chased down large pine snakes, corn snakes, garters and whatever else in hopes of getting a better look or pic. But poisonous snakes are nothing I want to get a closer look at.

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That is not copperhead or rattlesnake territory.Think dry ridge tops and pine barrens.They are prone to fungus and never live near water or in damp areas.Too far N for a cottonmouth.No doubt it was a a Northern Watersnake,perfect habitat in that pic.They have a very broad head profile that many mistake for a venomous snake,you would'nt be the first to make that mistake,esp since you did'nt have it in hand.


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1799619

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could it have been one of these ?? Common around fresh water " Grey Water Snake "

 I'll tell you this, no eternal reward will forgive us now for wasting the dawn.

                                                             Jim Morrison 

 

Remember when you were young, you shone like the sun.
Now there's a look in your eyes, like black holes in the sky.

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