Kris Schantz understands the power of fear. It's what drives many of us to scream or run at the mere sight of a snake in the yard.

But the principal zoologist with the Department of Environmental Protection's Endangered and Nongame Species Program has made it her mission to dispel the myths and misconceptions at the heart of this fear.

She does this through a statewide network of volunteers that helps people when venomous snakes get a little too close for comfort, at the same time explaining the vital role snakes play in maintaining balance in New Jersey's ecosystems.

It's a mission that not only protects people, but snakes as well.

"By showing compassion and understanding why they are afraid, I can help the public appreciate why snakes are important and what to do if they encounter one," said Schantz, who runs the DEP's Venomous Snake Response Team.

Snakes fill an important ecological role, controlling rodents and insects and serving as a food source for raccoons, bobcats, hawks, owls and other animals. In short, snakes are indicators of a healthy, vibrant ecosystem.

Yet each year many are intentionally killed by people who don't understand them. While many killings occur out of fear, few people have ever been bitten by venomous snakes in New Jersey - and there is no record of anyone dying of being bitten by a venomous snake in the wild in New Jersey.

Misidentification is a big factor in snake killings. Distinguishing the two venomous snakes from the non-venomous varieties can take an expert eye, so it's simply a good idea to always keep a respectable distance from all snakes, Schantz said.

The timber rattlesnake inhabits three distinct areas - the Kittatinny Ridge and the northernmost portion of the Highlands as well as the sprawling Pine Barrens of southern New Jersey. The copperhead is limited to hilly, forested regions in portions of northern New Jersey and a few isolated, hilly areas of Hunterdon and Somerset counties.

While the rattlesnake has its rattle to distinguish it from other snakes, many other snakes mimic the rattlesnake by shaking their tails on leaves, twigs and other objects. A rattlesnake has jagged and dark bands extending from side to side around the center and back end of the snake.

Distinguishing a copperhead from other look-alike species can be even trickier. The copperhead, one of New Jersey's least common snakes, is frequently confused with the northern water snake and the eastern milk snake, among the most common species.

Copperheads have a dark-colored pattern that forms hourglass-shaped bands from side to side, but coloration is highly variable among individuals and changes according to seasonal shedding periods.

Both the copperhead and rattlesnake are reclusive, but each will defend itself if threatened. In reality, though, you have a greater chance of being struck by lightning than of ever being bitten by one of these snakes.

Ironically, Schantz sometimes has to help volunteers get over their fear of snakes as one of the first steps in training.

"Some come in kind of terrified," she said. "But they learn how to handle the snakes - and their fears. They are doing this because they want to do what's best for the snakes and what's best for the landowner."

If you suspect a snake on your property is a rattlesnake or a copperhead and is in need of relocation, call the DEP Endangered and Nongame Species Program's northern region office at (908) 638-4381 or (908) 638-4127, or the southern region office at (609) 628-2103. After hours and on weekends call (877) WARN-DEP.

Photos are available at: http://www.nj.gov/dep/daw/snakes/