Connecticut Woman Spots Something Odd on Daily Walk-Then Realizes It's a Terrifying Predator

Imagine being out on your routine daily walk and seeing something out of a nightmare.

That is what happened when a Connecticut woman was on her daily walk on a warm, sunny spring day. She noticed something strange on the ground nearby.

What first looked unusual quickly turned into a startling wildlife encounter when she realized she had come right next to a venomous Copperhead snake.

The chilling moment is described in this news report and will remind you that unexpected and dangerous animal encounters can happen almost anywhere, even in your backyard.

What To Do If You Spot a Venomous Snake

As described in the video, venomous snakes are rare in Connecticut, but sightings do occur of Copperhead snakes.

Krista McKim had seen snakes before on her walks around the West Hartford Reservoir, but never a venomous one.

Brian Hess, a Deep Wildlife Biologist, said in the video that it's somewhat typical for McKim to encounter the snake, though it was very rare to see it during the day, as they tend to come out only at dusk and dawn.

When McKim realized what she saw, she quickly turned around and changed her path.

This is exactly what she should have done.

Giving the snake space is always the first step.

Yes, it would be great to get a photo, but is it worth the risk?

Hess says venomous Copperhead snakes are relatively harmless, but you don't want to get too close, as they are wild animals.

Try to identify it from a distance, as McKim did. There are plenty of resources online and apps to help you do this.

Related: A Walk With 3 Curious Jack Russells Took a Turn When a ‘Hidden' Creature Appeared

What To Do if You Get Bitten by a Venomous Snake

Even though only about 15% of snakes worldwide and 20% in the U.S. can inject poison when they bite, you should always have a plan of action.

If you do get bitten by a venomous snake, the first thing you want to do is get to antivenom as soon as possible.

In order to do this, you need to call 911 or your local emergency number, especially if the bite area changes color, swells, or becomes painful.

Emergency rooms will have antivenom drugs, which can help.

Also, be sure to:

• Move away from the snake immediately.
• Remain calm.
• Remove any jewelry, watches, or tight clothing at the site of the bite.
• Sit or lie down so that the bite area is in a comfortable position.
• Clean the bite area with soap and water.
• Cover or wrap the bite loosely with a dry bandage.

If you get bitten by a venomous snake, DO NOT:

• DON'T take pain relievers, including aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), or naproxen sodium (Aleve), as they can increase your risk of bleeding.
• DON'T tie off the bite area (also called using a tourniquet) or apply ice.
• DON'T cut the bite and try to get the venom out yourself.
• DON'T try to catch the snake, but do try to identify it.

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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 10:55 AM.