If someone gets bitten by a snake in the tri-state area, there’s a good chance they’ll get sent to Jacobi Medical Center for treatment.

Jacobi and the Bronx Zoo work together, treating about 10 patients a year for snake bites.

The Bronx Zoo has more than 20 different types of antivenom for venomous snakes coming from all around the world. The facility has a dedicated emergency system in place if someone in the Zoo is bitten.

Snake specialists at the zoo help doctors at Jacobi by identifying which snake bit a patient and come up with the type of antivenom that’s needed.

“Our relationship with the Bronx Zoo also allows us this dialogue with snake experts. That's very important, especially when the identification of the snake is in question, but also access to these antivenoms,” said Joshua Bloom, a physician in medical toxicology at Jacobi Medical Center.

Kevin Torregrosa, the Bronx Zoo curator of Herpetology, told News 12 that it’s rare for someone to get a snake bite in the Northeast, but they do exist in wooded areas.

“For venomous snakes here in New York, at least in our area, we have timber, rattlesnakes and copperheads. And if you're out in wooded areas outside of the city, there's a chance that those snakes could be there,” Torregrosa said.

He also said snake bites most often occur when someone is engaging with a snake, but on rare occasions, true accidental bites can occur. Snakes mainly stay hidden. But if you see one, stay away.

If you’re bit by a snake, you can call 911, or the Poison Control hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

News 12 is committed to help rebuild The Bronx. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday mornings as we bring you the critical information you need to help our borough thrive - from home improvements and affordable housing, to safer schools, better streets, and more. Click here for more Rebuilding The Bronx stories and resources.