WOODBRIDGE -- It's hard to think of an animal on earth that produces more fear and contempt as the snake. These legless reptiles have been around for millions of years and almost always are considered the symbol for evil and danger.
Kris Schantz, principal zoologist with the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program, is trying to change that.
"It's an illogical fear of snakes people are born with or it is ingrained from a very young age that they are a bad creature," she said.
It is her mission to dispel the myths and misconceptions that drive those negative feelings.
Schantz heads a statewide network of volunteers that respond to help New Jersey residents when they encounter venomous snakes. Of course the team will speak with anyone about any snake, but they are only required to respond to venomous snake situations for public safety. Since other snakes pose no threat to humans, they often just try to educate people on how to live in harmony with them and inform them about the important role they play in our ecosystems.
"By showing compassion and understanding why they are afraid, I can help the public appreciate why snakes are important and what to do if they encounter one," Schantz said.
The Snake Response Team is made up of 70-80 volunteers that includes DEP employees, local police, local animal control officers and members of the public throughout the state.
Officially, there are 22 species of snakes recognized in New Jersey. A 23rd snake, the queen snake, is believed to be extirpated (locally extinct). Two of New Jersey's snakes are venomous, the timber rattlesnake and the northern copperhead.
It's worth noting that very few people have ever been bitten by a venomous snake and there has never been a reported death in New Jersey. There was however a snake-related death in Pennsylvania this summer. On July 19, a man went into full cardiac arrest and died on the way to the hospital following a bite from a timber rattlesnake. It was the first reported snake death in Pennsylvania in more than 25 years.
Here are a few tips from the NJ DEP in case you encounter a venomous snake.
For starters, keep a safe distance from venomous snakes (at least 5 feet) and keep young children and pets at your side. Tell older children to stay farther back. Venomous snakes may administer a dry bite without injecting venom. This can happen when the strike is in defense rather than for acquiring food.
If bitten by a venomous snake:
Stay as calm as possible.
Call 911 immediately and do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital.
Wash the bite with soap and water, if available.
Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than your heart.
According to the state DEP, if you suspect a snake on your property is a rattlesnake or a copperhead and is in need of relocation, call the DEP Endangered and Nongame Species Program's northern region office at (908) 638-4381 or (908) 638-4127; or the southern region office at (609) 628-2103. After hours and on weekends call (877) WARN-DEP.
Click through the gallery above and learn more about New Jersey's snakes. In the photo caption you can read a brief description of each species' size range, description and habits.
For more information on snakes in New Jersey, visit the DEP website