Portions of Somerset County remain in the recognized variety of copperhead populations in New Jersey.
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BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A poisonous copperhead snake bit a Bridgewater Township resident outside their home sending them to the health center on the night of July 21, authorities informed Patch.
The homeowner reported the event to NJDEP Fish & Wildlife on July 27, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Senior Press Officer Caryn Shinske informed Patch.
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A friend of the homeowner reported on regional Bridgewater neighborhood groups that the bite took place off Brown Road in the Martinsville area of the area.
The next day, an NJDEP Fish & Wildlife Venomous Snake Response Team member browsed the homeowner’s property and surrounding homes for copperhead snakes, however discovered none, said Shinske.
Portions of Bridgewater Township remain in the recognized variety of copperhead populations in New Jersey.
“It is an unusual snake in its variety (state types of unique issue) populating NJ’s northern area extending as far south as the Sourlands of Hunterdon and Somerset counties northeast through localized locations within Somerset and north through western Bergen County,” according to the NJDEP.
Residents living in locations where poisonous snakes happen are recommended to use closed-toed shoes and utilize a flashlight when outdoors after dark.
The Northern Copperhead Snake likes to reside in rocky fields, berry thickets, forests, farmlands, and even old mulch stacks.
Copperhead snakes are 2 tones of copper or a reddish brown, the lighter background color with the darker pattern forming an hourglass shape, broader bands on the sides of the snake and
narrower bands throughout the back.
The head is a strong copper color. Young copperheads have a yellow-tipped tail.
“No one has actually ever passed away from a copperhead bite in [New Jersey. These snakes will not chase you, however they will protect themselves if they feel threatened, according to the NJDEP.
If you experience a Copperhead snake, keep your range.
These snakes birth to 6-17 young in mid-August to early October.
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