CLARKSTOWN, N.Y. — A big snake has been noticed in a Rockland County lake and it’s getting a number of consideration from residents.
The snake was seen in Congers Lake in Clarkstown.
Donato Parisi, a groundskeeper on the lake, mentioned the lately found snake is probably the most well-known — or notorious — resident there.
“Everybody was a bit involved as a result of snakes scare individuals,” Parisi mentioned.
Park goers noticed the massive, black snake this week and it received quite a lot of consideration on social media.
“Lots of concern, so we instantly despatched the police out,” Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann mentioned.
Hoehmann mentioned officers truly noticed a number of snakes, together with the large one which was estimated to be round 5 toes lengthy.
Pictures had been despatched to state Department of Environmental Conservation.
“They informed us that it was a particularly well-fed rat snake that doubtless simply got here out of hibernation,” Hoehmann mentioned.
Officials say rat snakes will not be dangerous to individuals. They can develop as much as 8 toes lengthy. They eat something from small birds to frogs and, sure, rats.
“We had been teasing, like we’ll mortgage him to Mayor Adams for the rats down within the metropolis. They maintain the rodent inhabitants down,” Hoehmann mentioned.
Some 600,000 individuals go to Congers Lake yearly, partly for the wildlife.
“We’re pushing all people out of all of the completely different habitats. So it is good to see some animals coming again,” Clarkstown resident Mitch Bittman mentioned.
Still, park goers are conserving a detailed eye on the water.
“We’ve been watching all the way in which round walking,” resident Sherri Roth mentioned.
Officials say individuals ought to get pleasure from all wildlife, however from a distance.
For your sake and theirs.
