Venomous Copperhead Snake Captured In Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A copperhead snake at a Bridgewater Township home was captured by NJ Fish & Wildlife on Thursday morning.

Stephen Kimble, who lives on Buxton Road, said the snake was discovered under his garbage can initially and then moved to under his recycling can.

"A member of the snake response team captured and relocated the snake per DEP protocols to suitable habitat in the area away from residential and recreational areas," said Larry Hajna, a spokesman with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.

Buxton Road is right around the corner from Brown Road. That is the same road where a Bridgewater resident was bitten by a venomous copperhead snake twice in her feet and hospitalized.

• See Related: Copperhead Snake Bite Hospitalizes Bridgewater Resident

Portions of Bridgewater Township are in the known range of copperhead populations in New Jersey.

Residents living in areas where venomous snakes occur are advised to wear closed-toed shoes and use a flashlight when outdoors after dark.

There are two types of venomous snakes known in the New Jersey area - Timber Rattlesnakes and Northern Copperheads.

From 1999 to 2023, there have been 16 reported venomous snake bite occurrences to humans in New Jersey that NJ Fish & Wildlife staff are aware of, NJ DEP Senior Press Officer Caryn Shinske said.

However, those are just the reported cases as hospitals are not required to report such incidents nor are New Jersey doctors necessarily experienced in identifying venomous snakes or venomous snake bites. Read More: What's Your Chance Of Being Bitten By A Venomous Snake In New Jersey?

The Northern Copperhead Snake likes to live in rocky fields, berry thickets, woodlands, farmlands, and even old mulch piles.

Copperhead snakes are two shades of copper or a reddish brown, the lighter background color with the darker pattern forming an hourglass shape, wider bands on the sides of the snake and narrower bands across the back.

The head is a solid copper color. Young copperheads have a yellow-tipped tail.

"No one has ever died from a copperhead bite in [New Jersey. These snakes will not chase you, but they will defend themselves if they feel threatened, according to the NJDEP.

If you encounter a Copperhead snake, keep your distance.

These snakes birth to 6-17 young in mid-August to early October.

If you see a Copperhead snake contact the NJ Fish & Wildlife snake hotline at 1-877-927-6337.

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