Slithery Trail Companions - NJ Hiking: Connect2024-03-29T09:06:31Zhttp://njhiking.ning.com/forum/topics/slithery-trail-companions?feed=yes&xn_auth=noI can't help you out with id-…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2013-07-18:4079177:Comment:370272013-07-18T22:42:51.324ZKimberly Yuehttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/KimberlyYue
<p>I can't help you out with id-ing them, but wanted to congratulate you on actually have the presence of mind to get pictures, and quite clear ones, too! Glad you all (snakes included) made out ok in the end :-)</p>
<p>I can't help you out with id-ing them, but wanted to congratulate you on actually have the presence of mind to get pictures, and quite clear ones, too! Glad you all (snakes included) made out ok in the end :-)</p> Just this last weekend, we fo…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2013-06-24:4079177:Comment:368612013-06-24T15:12:25.816ZPaulhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/Paul753
<p>Just this last weekend, we found a black snake ( it had a little tan under the chin) about four ft long, sunning on a rock right across the trail. It didn't move a muscle as i stopped short just a step away from it. And it didn't move as the two of us walked around in front of it. It seemed quite content. That was on the S-BM trail in Harriman.</p>
<p>Last spring we disturbed a brown snake on the rocks near Green Pond in Harriman. That guy actually hissed at us-I guess he was not so…</p>
<p>Just this last weekend, we found a black snake ( it had a little tan under the chin) about four ft long, sunning on a rock right across the trail. It didn't move a muscle as i stopped short just a step away from it. And it didn't move as the two of us walked around in front of it. It seemed quite content. That was on the S-BM trail in Harriman.</p>
<p>Last spring we disturbed a brown snake on the rocks near Green Pond in Harriman. That guy actually hissed at us-I guess he was not so content.</p>
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<p>Has anyone noticed if there has been an increase in rattlesnake populations in NJ? After years of hiking without seeing one, in the past two years I have seen four. Are there more of them now, or was it just my turn??</p> To get those pics, I'd need a…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2013-06-06:4079177:Comment:362202013-06-06T14:22:06.820ZTJ Karakowskihttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/TJKarakowski
<p>To get those pics, I'd need at least a 300mm lens on, as I'd have ran at least 25 ft away before composing myself to shoot a pic! I'm so bad that when I hike with my girlfriend I usually encourage her to "lead the hike", knowing that she'll clear the way of these critters (not to mention cobwebs ;-). Great shots Linda, sorry no clue as to ID though.</p>
<p>To get those pics, I'd need at least a 300mm lens on, as I'd have ran at least 25 ft away before composing myself to shoot a pic! I'm so bad that when I hike with my girlfriend I usually encourage her to "lead the hike", knowing that she'll clear the way of these critters (not to mention cobwebs ;-). Great shots Linda, sorry no clue as to ID though.</p> Linda, that rat snake looks a…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-05-02:4079177:Comment:307962012-05-02T23:42:14.752ZDaniela Wagstaffhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/DanielaWagstaff
<p>Linda, that rat snake looks about 10 yards long to me, you can't even see the other end of him! I had one about that long run straight at me up the AT in NJ once. Yes, RUN and FAST! You would not believe how fast they can move. He made a sharp turn behind me just as it was registering in my brain what was going on and I did quite a leap in the air (I think that might have been accompanied by a little scream) as he exited the trail right behind my heels. And I'm not at all squeamish about…</p>
<p>Linda, that rat snake looks about 10 yards long to me, you can't even see the other end of him! I had one about that long run straight at me up the AT in NJ once. Yes, RUN and FAST! You would not believe how fast they can move. He made a sharp turn behind me just as it was registering in my brain what was going on and I did quite a leap in the air (I think that might have been accompanied by a little scream) as he exited the trail right behind my heels. And I'm not at all squeamish about snakes - at least not when they aren't in hyper-drive. Oh, and for future reference, rat snakes will sometimes mimic rattlesnakes and rattle :).</p> Wonderful Pics.tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-05-02:4079177:Comment:310022012-05-02T13:06:50.340ZAnthonyhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/AnthonyZangari
<p>Wonderful Pics.</p>
<p>Wonderful Pics.</p> I think I'm going to pass out…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-05-02:4079177:Comment:309752012-05-02T00:37:48.893ZScotthttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/Scott
<p>I think I'm going to pass out. The Rat Snake I see all the time in the woods where I go mtn biking/hiking. They are literally EVERYWHERE and I think multiplying. I saw one down by a stream last year chasing a bull frog. He got him and ate him. I was amazing to watch. I assume they eat Rats? (and frogs)</p>
<p>I think I'm going to pass out. The Rat Snake I see all the time in the woods where I go mtn biking/hiking. They are literally EVERYWHERE and I think multiplying. I saw one down by a stream last year chasing a bull frog. He got him and ate him. I was amazing to watch. I assume they eat Rats? (and frogs)</p> Linda - Surprised you didn't…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-05-02:4079177:Comment:308712012-05-02T00:23:39.574ZnjHiking.comhttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/NJHiking
<p>Linda - Surprised you didn't stumble into any snakes last spring - they seemed to be <em>everywhere</em>. You got two nice photos of them too.</p>
<p>I believe you are correct, the large black snake is Rat Snake. They are not venomous nor aggressive to humans, and while I think they are supposed to have a painful bite, they don't pose any issue really. We see them all the time as well, in the 6-7' range, which is rather impressive (or startling, take your pick) when seeing that much snake…</p>
<p>Linda - Surprised you didn't stumble into any snakes last spring - they seemed to be <em>everywhere</em>. You got two nice photos of them too.</p>
<p>I believe you are correct, the large black snake is Rat Snake. They are not venomous nor aggressive to humans, and while I think they are supposed to have a painful bite, they don't pose any issue really. We see them all the time as well, in the 6-7' range, which is rather impressive (or startling, take your pick) when seeing that much snake slither away a few feet from you.</p>
<p>There are just two poisonous snakes in NJ, the Timber Rattlesnake and Copperhead. While it's rare to encounter them, we have seen rattlesnakes on several occasions. Just give any snake a wide berth - they don't want to be around you either.</p>
<p>The other snake may be a Eastern ribbon snake, but there are several that look like garter snakes and I get them mixed up. They tend to be suddenly underfoot and I've had to do a little two-step a couple times to avoid them. I find them kinda cute!<br/> </p>
<p>And the state has a <a href="http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/snake_broch07.pdf" target="_blank">snake ID sheet</a> online too.</p>
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<p>--Dawn</p> Please tell me the larger bla…tag:njhiking.ning.com,2012-05-02:4079177:Comment:309722012-05-02T00:07:03.477ZScotthttp://njhiking.ning.com/profile/Scott
<p>Please tell me the larger black snake is not dangerous to humans because I see them all the time in Morristown parks and others......</p>
<p>Please tell me the larger black snake is not dangerous to humans because I see them all the time in Morristown parks and others......</p>