Rattlesnake Relocation - Columbia County

[george]

On June 20, ECO Jeff Cox received a call from a concerned homeowner in Copake reporting a large rattlesnake on their front porch. The homeowner sent pictures of the pit viper, confirming it was a timber rattlesnake. Timber rattlesnakes are the largest venomous snake in New York and listed as a threatened species. The rattlesnake appeared to come and go over the weekend before slithering under the house, causing the homeowner to worry it was taking up residence there. Members of DEC's Division of Law Enforcement consulted with wildlife staff and decided to trap and relocate the rattlesnake. After a few unsuccessful attempts, ECO Cox wrangled the rattlesnake into a container on the morning of June 24. The rattlesnake was transported to a location in the Taconic Mountains, which is a known den site and released unharmed. The homeowner expressed great appreciation that the unwanted guest was removed from their residence.

Rattlesnake slithers under porch of Columbia County residence

 

[Avenger]

Sheep Dip! I didn't know we had rattlesnakes in NY. I'm not snake-phobic, but that would certainly raise my pucker factor.

 

[george]

Funny, I had no clue either

 

[pequa1]

Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet

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Copperheads too !

 

[Roccus7]

CT has the biggest concentration of Timber Rattlers, especially around the Hartford area...

 

[pequa1]

definitely a lot of snakes in general in the Hartford area.

 

[Avenger]

Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet

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Copperheads too !

I knew about the copperheads. I guess I just considered diamondbacks and never gave a thought that there might be other varieties.

 

[cany]

Learn something new everyday

 

[flounderjoe]

One i love snakes still have some as pets but the first time i met up with a catskill timber rattlesnake was on the little beaverkill creek that flows into esopus creek .I was lucky that one actually rattled i thougth it was a cicada kind of sounds like that got about just under 10 ft away till i seen it Man it was at least 3.5 ft long and as thick as my wrist absolutly beautiful .just tapped it with the tip of my fly rod and it went on its way.That was about 5 summers ago and seen my second one 2 years ago very near the same spot later found out that mt tremper has a good sized den population.

 

[Daves41]

That area has always had a very large rattler population. They are in the process of finishing up a rail trail for biking and walking. Will be an ideal place for the snakes to sun themselves. It will likely be used mostly by the city people who frequent the area. Should be interesting when it opens.

 

[BennyV]

That area has always had a very large rattler population. They are in the process of finishing up a rail trail for biking and walking. Will be an ideal place for the snakes to sun themselves. It will likely be used mostly by the city people who frequent the area. Should be interesting when it opens.

Time to thin the herd lol.

 

[Daves41]

Ya know they don't taste bad. Just sayin. LOL

 

[pequa1]

like chicken. (I had some at Fort Sill.)

 

[flounderjoe]

In PA your allowed to take one a year with your hunting lic you can get one rattle snake tag a year .The only time i ever tasted rattle snake it was canned and was not very good almost like that canned chicken meat WHY ?

 

[cany]

In PA your allowed to take one a year with your hunting lic you can get one rattle snake tag a year .The only time i ever tasted rattle snake it was canned and was not very good almost like that canned chicken meat WHY ?

No meat should be canned

 

[pequa1]

I had mine fresh kill over a fire. Tasted like chicken.

 

[Daves41]

Had it many years ago down in West Va. We caught em live, cleaned em and fried them in a fry pan over an open fire. Really not bad.