These 2 Snakes Found In New York State Are On The Endangered List

Believe me, it's tough to write about snakes for me, especially when this is the second article I've written lately about snakes that slither around the State of New York, but I think it's important enough to do so.

A few weeks ago, I wrote an informative article about the different types of snakes you may encounter in Broome County and surrounding areas. There are 16 native snake species in New York State according to the website Snakes For Pets.

All but three of those 16 snakes found in the Empire State are non-venomous. The venomous snakes include the Timber Rattlesnake, the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, and the Copperhead.

Did you know that both types of Rattlesnakes found in New York State are endangered species? It is illegal to capture, kill or take the Timber Rattlesnake or the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake.

That's according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The NYS DEC notes that their "population has severely declined in numbers and distribution (about 50-75%) in New York State due to unregulated collection, indiscriminate killing, and habitat destruction."

The Timber Rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in New York State and can grow three to four feet in length. This type of snake was designated as a threatened species beginning in 1983.

The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is the smallest of the three venomous snakes found in New York State and is also on endangered status.

This type of Rattlesnake can be found in Central New York, Southern Ontario, along with a few other northern U.S. states, and can live up to 14 years, with a length anywhere from 18 to 40 inches according to the NYS DEC.