Your Snake in PIC looks like either a Northern Brown snake, or brown specimen Garter snake. Harmless as most here are.
New York is home to 17 species of snakes.
The most common are garter and water snakes.
Green snake and brown snake. A few Rat snakes and Milksnakes.
90+% of them are harmless to humans and Large animals.
Though most snakes may bite if they feel threatened.
The bite is harmless if it connects.
Watersnakes can be aggressive. But are not poisonous.
Some (especially very large ones), are frequently called or mistaken for a cottonmouth (water moccasin): a large venomous snake that does not occur within our state borders. This confusion is understandable as our water snake is certainly an aggressive species with a nasty disposition and it does bear a superficial resemblance to the cottonmouth. But it is not one. Nor poisonous.
Poisonous snakes:
There are only three species of poisonous snakes living in the wilds of New York (many other kinds may be found in the homes of private individuals and, occasionally, escapes occur!). These are the timber rattlesnake, the massasauga (erroneously called "pygmy rattler"), and the copperhead. All three are uncommon.
The timber rattlesnake (listed as "Threatened" by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation) enjoys the widest range. It is found mainly in the southeastern part of the state.
The massasauga(erroneously called "pygmy rattler"), (listed as "Endangered") occurs in only two locations, both large wetlands. One is located northeast of Syracuse and the other is west of Rochester. (Bergen Swamp)
The timber rattler and massasauga both possess a rattle at the end of their tails.
Copperheads, the third poisonous snake in NY are also less commonly seen.
They lack the rattle. But can be identified by their coppery red head and distinct bands along their bodies. Mostly found in the mountainous regions of south eastern ny(Catskills).
As far as Pet Snakes. I've kept quite a few Exotic tropical "Constrictors" in my time. The Royale or "Ball" Python is the best pet to keep if you want an exotic foreign snake. They are quite personable and raise/train well.
Many other Pythons get too large and eventually dangerous(Bermese and Reticulated Pythons) and others...
Boas are nice too. I've kept both Columbian Red tail and a green tree Boa.
The red tail the best (because you can handle it and train) However, I'd still reccomend a "Ball" Python over anything else. Out of all the exotic constrictors it is the most gentle under proper conditions and trustable.
Though NO snake should ever be trusted completely.
FYI for those intersted:
Be responsible if you buy any pet snake.
Florida has an "un natural" Bermese and Reticulated Pythons Population due to Illegal release (or escapes) of former pet trade animals. People can not care for them properly. It's a big commitment. They live a very long time.
Outgrowing their owners ability is very common.
Even up North(though an escapee could not survive a winter, most likely) they can still be dangerous to small children and animals even Large or adults in extreme cases. Within the spring and summer months. Not something to mess with.
