Mt. Tom biting snake is "endangered"

EASTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - It's not just tick bites that you need to be wary of in western Massachusetts, snakes are also biting people.

"I've only seen one snake, a small garden snake. I've heard there were rattlesnakes up here, but I would assume that's if you travel further up the mountain," said Ray Murphy of Holyoke.

Along route 141 at the Holyoke/Easthampton line on Mount Tom, a hiker was bitten by a snake on Saturday night according to Holyoke Police. The snake involved is believed to be the venomous Copperhead snake.

22News found the snake dead and without a head when our cameras arrived Saturday night.

According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Copperhead snake is "endangered" and it's illegal to harass or kill.

Still...snakes aren't quite what you'd expect hiking in Western Mass.

While snakes aren't incredibly common at the Mt. Tom State Reservation, they're common enough that the DCR has posted warning signs for Copperhead and Timber Rattlesnakes. They also have pamphlets available on snakes, before you go on your hike.

"I've seen them [while] hiking, seen rattlesnakes actually, when I first started hiking a long time ago, I haven't seen one in years actually. So, out of sight, out of mind. I know they're out there,” said Bob Rasmussen of Brookline.

The snake bite victim was taken to Baystate Medical Center where spokesperson Amy Swisher told 22News, they have anti-venom in stock. Holyoke police do not know the man's name or how he is doing.