If hiking or taking a walk in a wooded area, be cautious of snakes

When walking through a woodland and come across a fallen branch or log, be careful as a rattlesnake could be inside or on the other side of it. Contributed photo

At this time of summer, many folks take to the outdoors to be closed to nature be it by hiking local state parks, lake areas or the Blue Mountain trail. It’s also at this time when the chance of a snake encounter could be possible. Be it a rattlesnake or copperhead, these two are the most venomous snakes in Pennsylvania and they are but two of Pennsylvania’s 21 snake species

While the copperhead is more of a deep mountainous snake, it can occasionally be found locally at Leaser and Mauch Chunk Lakes, and more so at Hawk Mountain. 

The copperhead is one of three most venomous Pennsylvania snakes and it’s close cousin to the cottonmouth or water moccasin found in more southerly aquatic environments. 

The copperhead say the experts are quiet creatures that do its best to avoid trouble as it will quietly retreat to a safe retreat whenever it can. However, when threatened its capable of striking out. If its strike hits its intended victim, poison may be injected through two hollow fangs. The venom-injecting apparatus is similar to that found in the rattlesnake, although a copperhead’s fangs tend to be shorter. Its venom primarily affects the bloodstream and the bite and venom is painful. But it’s said with prompt medical attention, it seldom poses any serious threat to life. 
The pupil of the copperhead’s eye is vertically elliptical (similar to a cat’s pupil) which is a feature of all Pennsylvania’s venomous snakes. In comparison, the pupil of a non-venomous snake is rounded, common to non-venomous snakes. And the copperhead has the facial pit located between the eye and nostril that is common to Pennsylvania’s three most venomous snakes. This heat-sensitive organ is missing from non-venomous species in Pennsylvania.

The rattlesnake is the largest of the three venomous species and the most feared.  It can reach adult sizes off 36-54 inches. And like the copperhead, it would prefer to be left alone. A defensive strike does not always include a release of venom as its venom is used to disable prey.

And contrary to popular belief, the timber rattlesnake does not always sound its familiar rattle alarm before striking. In fact, when striking the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (who are responsible for Pennsylvania snakes) says that when striking, because of fear or the need to defend itself, more often than not the snake strikes without an audible warning that is generated by a rapidly vibrating tail that are hollow horny segments fastened to the tail that strike one another to produce the buzzing, rattle-type sound. The rattle may grow by two to four segments annually, because new segments are added each time the skin is shed. 

I recall a Pocono mule trip I was on with a group of other outdoor writers when we encountered a rattlesnake located alongside the mountainous trail we were on. The snake didn’t rattle even though my close friend and mentor the late Tom Fegely got off his mule to photograph it. Amazingly as well, the mules did not spook or rear-up and take off. 
​
So if you’re hiking or merely taking a walk into up-country woods and encounter a rattler or copperhead, stay at least five feet from the snake. Don’t try to kill it. Be careful and look before stepping over a fallen tree limb or log and over large rocks where a snake could be resting. They can also be in tall grass where ticks can be lurking and if attached to you could pose a threat of Lyme disease.

---