Is it me or is the last thing you want in your house a venomous snake? This might be something people in other parts of the country where different types of venomous snakes are common but in New York State we are certainly not used to seeing them! With that said, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State is home to 3 different types of venomous snakes: copperheads, timber rattlesnakes, and the massasauga rattlesnake (aka pygmy rattlesnake). The good news is that these snakes are rarely seen because they shy away from people in general.

I guess a certain timber rattlesnake was not feeling very shy when it entered a Town of Hancock home recently. According to the NYS DEC, an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) got a call in the middle of the night about a rattlesnake in a person's living room. The deadly snake was discovered by the homeowner's dog who was heard barking at something. When the homeowner investigated, he found quite the unwelcome surprise, a 3.5-foot rattlesnake on the floor! The homeowner made the smart choice to call for help getting the snake out of his home instead of either attempting to kill it or get it out of the house himself.

ECO Osborne arrived on the scene at a very late 3:00 am to safely capture the snake and release it back into the wild, far away from any area homes. Whew! That was close! Can you imagine if the dog had attempted to engage the snake more than just barking at it? All's well that ends well.

Keep in mind that the three venomous snakes mentioned at the beginning of this story are indigenous to New York State and are protected by law. You can find out more about them by visiting dec.ny.gov.

Look: These Popular State Parks In Our Region Deserve A Visit From You

As a long-time Upstate New York resident who loves to enjoy the great outdoors, there is one thing I know - there is NO shortage of state parks in New York, and where I live in Oneonta, there are as many as 7 state parks to enjoy nearby within the counties of Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego. See for yourself below.

Awesome Summer Activity For Adults: Local 37-Mile Beverage Trail

If you are looking for something fun and different to do with either friends or your partner for an afternoon, the Cooperstown Beverage Trail offers a lot of variety along this 37-mile trail.

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Check out parade attendees from a recent Parade of Legends. Who will you get to see this year? The National Baseball Hall of Fame Parade of Legends in Cooperstown, New York on Saturday July 23rd at 6pm from Doubleday Field to the Hall of Fame. It is a don't miss for baseball fans.

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