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>> Narrator: DOZENS OF DANGEROUS
EXOTIC SPECIES HAVE PROLIFERATED
IN SOUTH FLORIDA.
BUT ON THIS EPISODE OF
"SWAMP WARS," WE'LL TAKE A
CLOSER LOOK AT THE SWAMP'S
FEROCIOUS NATIVE SPECIES WHO
LIVED HERE LONG BEFORE ANY
HUMANS DID.
AND THE MORE WE ENCROACH ON
THEIR TERRITORY, THE MORE
LIKELY
THEY ARE TO THREATEN OURS.
DEADLY EASTERN DIAMONDBACKS
SLITHERING ACROSS JOGGING
TRAILS...
>> IT'S IN THE PERFECT POSITION
TO BITE ME.
>> Narrator: ...AND HIDING ON
GOLF COURSES, READY TO STRIKE.
VENOMOUS NATIVE COTTONMOUTHS,
COZYING UP TO PLAYGROUNDS AND
SHOWING UP IN HOSPITALS.
PLUS, GATORS OUT FOR AN EVENING
STROLL.
>> THEY'RE VERY DEFENSIVE.
HE'S GONNA PUT UP A FIGHT.
>> Narrator: ...AND HIDING UNDER
A CAR...
WAITING TO ATTACK.
MIAMI IS PARADISE, SITTING ON
THE EDGE OF A SWAMP.
THE MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE
VENOM ONE TEAM IS AN ELITE GROUP
OF FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDICS THAT
PROTECT THE PEOPLE FROM THE MOST
DANGEROUS ANIMALS THAT COME OUT
OF THE EVERGLADES.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
FLORIDA'S MAGNIFICENT WEATHER
AND LUSH VEGETATION HAVE MADE IT
THE PERFECT HOME FOR ANIMALS OF
ALL KINDS, INCLUDING HUMANS...
AND DEADLY SNAKES.
AND OF ALL THE SNAKES IN
NORTH AMERICA, THE MOST LETHAL
IS A NATIVE TO FLORIDA, THE
EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE.
CENTURIES AGO WHEN PIONEERS
FIRST SETTLED THIS SWAMPY LAND,
THEY SOON FOUND THAT
RATTLESNAKES HAD BEEN THERE LONG
BEFORE THEM.
THE EASTERN DIAMONDBACK MADE
SUCH AN IMPRESSION ON THE
FOUNDING FATHERS THAT WHEN
AMERICA FOUGHT FOR INDEPENDENCE,
IT WAS THE SYMBOL ON OUR FLAG --
"DON'T TREAD ON ME."
THE DIAMONDBACK'S MESSAGE WAS
CLEAR -- MESS WITH IT, AND
YOU'RE LOOKING FOR TROUBLE.
IRONICALLY, NOW IT'S AMERICANS
WHO NEED TO WATCH THEIR STEP...
BECAUSE IN SOUTH FLORIDA, WHERE
PEOPLE LOVE TO RELAX AND PLAY,
DIAMONDBACKS COULD BE ANYWHERE.
FLORIDA IS FAMOUS FOR HUNDREDS
OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GOLF
COURSES IN THE WORLD, AND THERE
COULD BE A COLD-BLOODED NATIVE
KILLER HIDING IN ANY ONE OF
THEM.
>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT,
SOUTH FLORIDA WAS CARVED OUT OF
THE SWAMP.
GOLF COURSES SUPPLY A LOT OF
REFUGE FOR THESE ANIMALS.
THEY HAVE WATERWAYS, THEY HAVE
ROUGH, THEY HAVE BUSHES AND
TREES.
STUFF THAT'S ENCOURAGED TO BE
OBSTACLES TO THE GOLFER PROVIDES
COVER AND SUPPORT FOR THESE
ANIMALS.
>> A MAN WAS GOLFING WITH HIS
FRIEND, AND HE WAS REALLY HAVING
A BAD DAY.
>> HE WAS RUNNING LOW ON GOLF
BALLS AND HIS SCORE WAS PUSHING
100, AND IN GOLF, THAT AIN'T
GOOD.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE YOU GO
IN SOUTH FLORIDA, PEOPLE HAVE
BUILT SOMETHING IN WHAT WAS ONCE
A WILD AREA, SO ENCOUNTERS WITH
WILDLIFE ARE COMMON.
GOLF COURSES ARE NO EXCEPTION
TO THAT.
>> HE'S ON HIS TEE.
AND HE SLICES IT INTO THE ROUGH.
>> HE WENT TO ROUGH TO RETRIEVE
HIS BALL.
HE REACHED DOWN TO PICK IT UP
AND FELT A STINGING SENSATION IN
HIS CALF.
>> HE SAID THAT HE WAS STRUCK
TWICE BY AN EASTERN DIAMONDBACK
RATTLESNAKE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BIG FANGS...
LOTS AND LOTS OF VENOM...
AND A WHOLE LOT OF PAIN.
>> HIS FRIEND QUICKLY PICKED HIM
UP, PUT HIM IN THE GOLF CART,
AND RACED HIM BACK TO THE
CLUBHOUSE.
>> PARAMEDICS WERE CALLED AND
THE MAN WAS EVENTUALLY AIRLIFTED
TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL.
>> THE EASTERN DIAMONDBACK'S
VENOM IS A LARGE DOSE AND HAS A
PROFOUND EFFECT ON THE HUMAN
BODY.
HE UNCONTROLLABLY STARTED
TWITCHING IN HIS FINGERS, LIPS,
AND HIS RIGHT CALF WHERE HE WAS
BITTEN.
>> TYPICALLY AN EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE BITE
DOWN HERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAS A
SLIGHT NEUROTOXIC EFFECT.
I'LL SEE THE MUSCLES START
TWITCHING IN THAT VICTIM.
THAT'S THE INDICATOR THAT IT WAS
AN EASTERN DIAMONDBACK.
>> THAT NIGHT, THE MAN WAS
TREATED WITH 30 VIALS OF
ANTIVENOM.
>> FORTUNATELY FOR THIS MAN, HE
WAS LUCKY THAT THE ANTIVENOM
WORKED AND THAT HE WAS ABLE TO
SURVIVE -- NOT ONLY ONE BITE...
BUT TWO BITES FROM AN EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE...
THE MOST DEADLIEST SNAKE IN THE
UNITED STATES.
>> Narrator: THIS MAN WAS LUCKY,
BUT HIS EXPERIENCE ISN'T AN
UNCOMMON ONE.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS OVER
1,000 GOLF COURSES, MORE THAN
ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY.
>> IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO GO TO A
SOUTH FLORIDA GOLF COURSE AND
SEE WATER MOCCASINS, EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK, CORAL SNAKES -- ALL
THESE ANIMALS LIVING IN THE SAME
ENVIRONMENT.
>> Narrator: THANKFULLY FOR
FLORIDIANS, VENOM ONE IS HERE,
WITH LIFESAVING ANTIVENOM
FOR THESE SNAKES...
BECAUSE SHARING THIS SPACE WITH
SOME OF THE STATE'S ORIGINAL
INHABITANTS, PEOPLE NEVER KNOW
WHEN THEY MAY FIND THEMSELVES IN
GRAVE DANGER.
CHUCK SEIFERT, A.K.A.
"BIG COUNTRY "IS ON HIS WAY TO A
COUNTY PARK, WHERE PEOPLE GATHER
TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL.
BUT AS THIS JOGGER FOUND OUT,
THERE ARE SOME HAZARDS YOU JUST
CAN'T ESCAPE.
>> YOU CALLED ABOUT THE SNAKE?
>> YES. I WAS JOGGING BY.
IT WAS RIGHT HERE.
AND I KNOW YOU SAID TO KEEP MY
EYES ON IT, BUT I'M NOT GONNA
FOLLOW IT.
>> AND IT HAD RATTLES FOR SURE?
>> YEAH, YEAH. I COULD HEAR IT.
I COULD HEAR THE RATTLER.
>> OH, I SEE HIM. YEP.
THAT'S AN EASTERN DIAMONDBACK
RATTLESNAKE.
HE'S NOT A HAPPY CAMPER EITHER.
IN THE 30-SOMETHING YEARS I'VE
BEEN HANDLING SNAKES I'VE NEVER
SEEN AN EASTERN DIAMONDBACK THAT
WASN'T AGGRESSIVE AND DEFENSIVE.
THIS SNAKE HAS GOT THE ABILITY
TO TAKE YOUR LIFE IN A SPLIT
SECOND.
ONE BITE FROM THIS EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK IS MORE THAN 10
TIMES THE AMOUNT TO KILL AN
ADULT.
THEY'VE GOT THE THERMAL-IMAGING
PITS.
NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE A VISUAL
ON ME -- THEY'VE ALSO GOT A HEAT
PATTERN ON ME.
AND IT'S CRAMPED QUARTERS BACK
HERE, SO THAT REALLY MAKES IT A
DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT.
LOOKS LIKE I'M JUST GONNA HAVE
TO HOOK THIS GUY AND TAKE HIM
OUT TO THE PATH AND PIN HIM
THERE.
>> Narrator: BIG COUNTRY MUST
MOVE THE DIAMONDBACK INTO A
CLEARING, WHERE HE CAN WORK WITH
IT.
HE KNOWS THAT THE BRUSH IS THE
SNAKE'S DOMAIN AND IT COULD
EASILY HAVE A MATE HIDING IN THE
SHADOWS, WAITING TO STRIKE.
>> WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS, GET
HIM AWAY FROM HIS TAIL.
I GOT TO GET THIS TAIL AWAY FROM
ITS HEAD IN ORDER TO GRAB IT.
OTHERWISE, IT'S IN THE PERFECT
POSITION TO BITE ME.
THE STRIKE RANGE ON THESE
RATTLESNAKES ARE ABOUT ONE-THIRD
OF THEIR BODY LENGTH.
TEAM THAT WITH ITS ABILITY TO
STRIKE 8 FEET PER SECOND, AND
THIS IS A DEADLY SNAKE.
IT'S TRYING TO COIL BACK TO
STRIKE ME.
>> Narrator: THIS CAPTURE IS
INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS FOR
BIG COUNTRY.
THESE ARE STRONG, POWERFUL, AND
QUICK ANIMALS.
IF THE DIAMONDBACK ESCAPES
BIG COUNTRY'S GRIP, IT WILL BE
IN PRIME POSITION TO REACT AND
ATTACK.
>> Narrator: CAPTAIN
CHUCK SEIFERT, A.K.A.
BIG COUNTRY, IS TRYING TO REMOVE
A DEADLY, VENOMOUS EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE FROM A
PUBLIC PARK.
BUT THE SNAKE HAS FREED IT'S
HEAD FROM CHUCK'S GRIP, GIVING
ITSELF ANOTHER CHANCE TO ATTACK.
>> OH.
>> THE HUMAN BEING'S REACTION
TIME IS NOWHERE NEAR THE SPEED
OF AN EASTERN DIAMONDBACK'S
STRIKE.
SO IF I WAS ANY CLOSER, I'D BE
IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW.
BUT THERE'S NOTHING LIKE WORKING
WITH A VENOMOUS REPTILE TO GET
THE ADRENALINE GOING.
IT'S LIKE GETTING TO GO ON YOUR
FAVORITE ROLLER COASTER.
AS SOON AS I GRABBED THIS
RATTLESNAKE UP FROM THE GROUND,
HE STARTS FLAILING HIS BODY BACK
AND FORTH.
THIS IS PRETTY SPECIFIC OF THE
EASTERN DIAMONDBACK, 'CAUSE
THEIR THICK BODY AND THE WEIGHT
THAT THEY USE A LOT OF TIMES
LOOSENS YOUR GRIP.
AND THAT'S JUST ENOUGH THAT THEY
TO TURN AROUND AND GET YOU WITH
THAT FANG.
LOOK AT THE VENOM COMING OUT.
THOSE ARE THE DEADLY FANGS THAT
DELIVER THE VENOM.
THOSE FANGS CAN BITE THROUGH
YOUR SNEAKERS, CAN BITE THROUGH
JEANS.
MOST OTHER VENOMOUS SNAKES DON'T
HAVE FANGS THAT BIG.
THERE'S VENOM DRIPPING ALL DOWN
MY FINGERS, ALL OVER HIS MOUTH.
>> SO IT'S NOT DANGEROUS IF IT
ACTUALLY TOUCHES YOUR SKIN?
>> NO.
YOU CAN SEE THERE'S VENOM RIGHT
THERE ON MY THUMB.
>> YEAH.
>> AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY LICK IT.
>> [BLEEP]
>> AND THERE'S ANOTHER WHOLE
DROP ALL OVER THIS FINGER.
YOU CAN GET IT ALL OVER YOUR
SKIN, AND IT DOESN'T DO
ANYTHING.
LOOK, YOU SHOULD NOT DRINK
VENOM.
I'M DOING THIS TO ILLUSTRATE THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VENOM AND A
POISON.
THIS PARTICULAR VENOM HAS TO BE
INJECTED INTO THE SKIN IN ORDER
TO BE ABSORBED.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN POISON
AND VENOM IS THAT POISON CAN BE
ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN,
WHEREAS THE VENOM HAS TO BE
INJECTED UNDER THE SKIN TO BE
EFFECTIVE.
>> SO, WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED
IF I HAD GOTTEN STUNG BY THAT?
>> A BIG EASTERN DIAMONDBACK
RATTLESNAKE, IT'S THE QUANTITY
THAT THEY DELIVER.
>> SO CAN THEY ACTUALLY KILL
YOU, THOUGH?
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.
YOU GET A FULL BITE, YOU'RE NOT
GONNA SURVIVE THE BITE WITHOUT
ANTIVENOM.
>> IT'S REALLY NICE TO KNOW THAT
YOU HAVE PROFESSIONALS FROM
VENOM ONE THAT DEAL WITH THESE
DEADLY SNAKES.
>> Narrator: LIKE MOST CITIZENS
WHOSE LIVES ARE TOUCHED BY
MEMBERS OF THE VENOM ONE TEAM,
THIS MAN IS PROBABLY WONDERING
HOW CHUCK DEALS SO CALMLY WITH
SUCH DANGEROUS CREATURES, BUT AS
A FIREFIGHTER, IT'S SIMPLY A DAY
ON THE JOB.
>> BEING A FIREFIGHTER, YOU'RE
PUTTING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE TO
SAVE OTHERS.
CAPTURING AND REMOVING THESE
SNAKES IS BASICALLY THE SAME
THING.
I'M JUST REMOVING A SNAKE
INSTEAD OF PUTTING OUT A FIRE.
HE'S RATTLING HIS TAIL IN THERE,
SHAKING THE BAG.
YOU KNOW YOU GOT A MEAN
RATTLESNAKE WHEN THE
RATTLESNAKE'S ALL BAGGED UP AND
STILL RATTLING ON.
>> IF THERE IS ONE, DOES THAT
MEAN THERE COULD BE MORE?
>> YEAH.
THIS IS A VERY LARGE PARK.
A LOT OF PEOPLE VISIT THIS PARK,
AND THEY LITTER, WHICH IS GONNA
LEAVE TRASH FOR RATS AND MICE.
SO, YEAH, THERE'S PLENTY OF FOOD
HERE.
THERE COULD BE MORE.
>> QUESTION -- IF I'M JOGGING
BY, AND IT'S, LIKE, RIGHT HERE
IN THE PATH, WHAT DO I DO?
SHOULD I TRY TO RUN AWAY OR
SHOULD I TRY TO KICK IT OR --
>> WHAT YOU DID WAS PERFECT --
YOU KEPT DISTANCE, YOU CALLED
US, YOU LET US KNOW.
>> GLAD YOU CAME.
I'M GLAD I ACTUALLY SAW IT.
>> YOU KNOW, THIS IS DEFINITELY
THE BEST-CASE SCENARIO.
A LOT OF KIDS, THEY'RE
FASCINATED BY SNAKES.
AND IF THEY DON'T DISCERN THIS
DEADLY ANIMAL FROM A NONVENOMOUS
ANIMAL, THEY COULD END UP DEAD.
THE EASTERN DIAMONDBACK
RATTLESNAKE IS A NATIVE SNAKE,
BUT LETTING THIS SNAKE LIVE IN
THIS PARK WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF
PEOPLE -- NOT A GOOD IDEA.
SO WE'LL TAKE HIM OUT WHERE
THERE'S NOBODY AROUND AND JUST
LET HIM GO.
>> Narrator: SOUTH FLORIDA'S
DEADLIEST NATIVE SNAKE IS THE
EASTERN DIAMONDBACK, BUT THE
KILLER NATIVE, WHICH CAPTURES
THE PUBLIC'S IMAGINATION THE
MOST IS THE AMERICAN ALLIGATOR.
>> [ GROWLS ]
>> Narrator: THEY'RE CONSTANTLY
LOOKING FOR NEW SOURCES OF FOOD.
AND WHEN ESTABLISHING THEIR
TERRITORY...
THERE'S VIRTUALLY NO FIGHT THEY
WON'T TAKE ON -- WHETHER IN
WATER...
OR ON LAND.
>> [ GROWLS ]
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF
ALLIGATORS MOSTLY JUST BEING IN
THE WATER, BUT THEY'RE ALSO
COMFORTABLE ON LAND.
THEY'LL COME OUT ON LAND DURING
MATING SEASON.
SOMETIMES IT'S TO LOOK FOR OTHER
SOURCES OF WATER WHERE THEY CAN
FIND OTHER MATES.
WHEN THIS HAPPENS, SOMETIMES
THEY ENCOUNTER HUMANS.
>> LATE ONE THE EVENING, A MAN
WAS RETURNING TO HIS HOME.
HE AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WERE JUST
GETTING BACK FROM THEIR BABY
SHOWER.
THEY WERE CARRYING PACKAGES INTO
THEIR HOUSE.
>> [ BARKS ]
>> AND THEIR DOG ESCAPED THROUGH
THE FRONT DOOR.
>> Narrator: AND FLORIDIANS KNOW
NEVER TO LEAVE THEIR PETS OUT AT
NIGHT...
OR THEY MIGHT BECOME A SNACK FOR
LURKING BEASTS.
>> COME ON, BUDDY. LET'S GO.
[ WHISTLES ]
>> AS A MAN WALKED AROUND HIS
DIMLY LIT HOUSE, CALLING OUT
FOR HIS DOG, HE SAW SOMETHING
MOVING UNDERNEATH HIS CAR.
>> Narrator: HE THOUGHT IT WAS
HIS DOG HIDING, SO WENT IN FOR A
CLOSER LOOK.
BUT IN FLORIDA, SOMETIMES
PEERING INTO THE DARKNESS...
MEANS PEERING INTO THE
UNEXPECTED AND DEADLY.
>> HE REACHED FORWARD AND
GRABBED WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A
DOG WITH BOTH HIS HANDS, BUT IT
WASN'T HIS DOG.
IT WAS A 5-FOOT ALLIGATOR.
>> [ SCREAMS ]
>> IT LASHED OUT AND BIT THE MAN
ON HIS HANDS.
>> [ GROWLS ]
>> A FOURTH OF AN ALLIGATOR BITE
IS ANYWHERE FROM 3,000 TO 5,000
PSI.
THAT'S POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH.
THAT'S LIKE HAVING A PICKUP
TRUCK PARKED ON TOP OF YOU.
>> Narrator: CLAMPED SO STRONGLY
ONTO HIS VICTIM, THE ALLIGATOR
WAS PREPARING TO EXECUTE ITS
DEATH ROLL, A MOVE WHERE
ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILES SPIN
AND TWIST UNTIL A LIMB COMES
LOOSE.
BUT AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, THE
CRAMPED QUARTERS UNDERNEATH THE
TRUCK MADE A DEATH ROLL
IMPOSSIBLE.
IT PROBABLY SAVED THE MAN'S ARM.
>> FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ABLE TO
PULL HIMSELF FREE FROM THE
ALLIGATOR'S GRIPS.
>> [ GROANS ]
>> OTHERS IN THIS US HAVEN'T
BEEN SO LUCKY.
THEY'VE LOST THEIR HANDS, EVEN
THEIR LIVES.
>> Narrator: AUTHORITIES ARRIVE
TO REMOVE THE DEADLY BEAST
BEFORE ANOTHER ATTACK.
>> AFTER A BACK-AND-FORTH
STRUGGLE, THE OFFICERS WERE
FINALLY ABLE TO REMOVE THE GATOR
FROM UNDERNEATH HIS CAR.
>> Narrator: A MAN'S OWN
DRIVEWAY MAY SEEM LIKE THE LAST
PLACE HE'D ENCOUNTER A
LIFE-THREATENING MONSTER.
BUT IN FLORIDA, YOU NEVER KNOW
WHAT SEEMINGLY SAFE AREA MIGHT
TURN INTO A BLOODY BATTLEGROUND.
>> [ GROANS ]
>> Narrator: CAPTAIN JEFF FOBB
IS CALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A
RAINY NIGHT, AND SOMETIMES WHEN
A STORM HITS THE EVERGLADES...
THE SWAMP EVICTS ITS DEADLY
INHABITANTS.
>> [ HISSES ]
>> I GOT A CALL FOR ALLIGATOR IN
THE ROAD.
HE'S BEEN WANDERING BACK AND
FORTH ACROSS THE ROAD.
LOOKS LIKE HE'S PRETTY INTENT ON
GETTING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF
THIS FENCE.
WHEN YOU INITIALLY ENCOUNTER
AN ALLIGATOR, THEY'RE VERY
DEFENSIVE -- ESPECIALLY IF
THEY'RE CORNERED.
HE'S PRETTY STRESSED OUT HERE.
HE'S GOT HIS TAIL BACKED UP
AGAINST THE FENCE.
SO I THINK I'M GONNA MOVE HIM
AWAY FROM THE FENCE A LITTLE
BIT.
GIVE ME A LITTLE MORE ROOM TO
WORK WITH.
THAT'S A WATER BUG.
THAT WILL BITE THE [BLEEP] OUT
OF YOU.
>> Narrator: BUT JEFF HAS BIGGER
THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT THAN A
BITE FROM A WATER BUG.
THIS VICIOUS GATOR IS VERY MUCH
ON THE DEFENSIVE AND READY TO
DELIVER A DEADLY BITE.
>> NORMALLY, WHAT WE WANT TO DO
IS PUT A ROPE AROUND THE
ALLIGATOR'S NECK.
THAT WAY, WE CAN GET A LITTLE
BETTER CONTROL, WHERE THE ANIMAL
CAN'T FLEE.
NEVER WANT TO UNDERESTIMATE, YOU
KNOW, WHAT THEY CAN DO.
>> [ GROWLS ]
>> Narrator: GATORS ARE
INCREDIBLY STRONG, QUICK, AND
FLAT-OUT DEADLY.
THEIR JAWS CAN CRUSH HUMAN
BONES, THEIR CLAWS CAN SLICE YOU
OPEN, AND THEIR WHIPPING TAIL
CAN SMACK YOU OFF YOUR FEET IN
SECONDS.
>> [ GROWLS ]
>> VENOM ONE'S CAPTAIN JEFF FOBB
HAS BEEN CALLED OUT IN THE
MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ABOUT A
GATOR LOOSE ON MIAMI STREETS.
>> [ GROWLS ]
>> Narrator: THIS IS A YOUNGER
GATOR.
THOUGH IT DOESN'T HAVE THE GIRTH
OF ITS SWAMP BRETHREN, IT USES
IT'S OWN UNIQUE SKILL SET TO
KILL.
>> THEY'RE SMALL, THEY DON'T
HAVE AS MUCH WEIGHT, THEY CAN
SUSTAIN ACTIVITY FOR LONGER, SO
IT'S KIND OF LIKE DEALING WITH A
PYTHON.
>> Narrator: LIKE A PYTHON, THIS
YOUNGER GATOR IS NIMBLE...
PURSUING ITS ENEMY WITH
UNYIELDING ENDURANCE AND
ATTACKING THEM WITH BLINDING
SPEED.
>> NOW I WANT TO GET AHOLD OF
HIS TAIL.
THAT WILL HELP ME SECURE HIM A
LITTLE BIT EASIER BECAUSE IT'S
HARDER FOR TURN AROUND AND BITE.
WE'RE TRAINED TO DEAL WITH
ANIMALS LIKE THIS.
DEALING WITH ANIMALS -- IT'S A
DYNAMIC SITUATION.
THERE'S NO RULE BOOK.
THE ONE RULE I HAVE IS, TRY TO
AVOID GETTING HURT.
>> Narrator: THIS IS A TEST OF
WILL, AND NEITHER JEFF NOR THIS
FEISTY GATOR IS WILLING TO
SURRENDER.
>> IT'S NOT LIKE PUTTING A LEASH
ON YOUR DOG.
THEY'RE WILD ANIMALS.
>> [ HISSES ]
>> Narrator: FORTUNATELY,
VENOM ONE GOT THE CALL TO REMOVE
THIS NATIVE PREDATOR BEFORE SOME
UNSUSPECTING RESIDENT FOUND
HIMSELF IN A LIFE-THREATENING
SITUATION.
THOUGH THE TEAM FOCUSES ON
KEEPING DANGEROUS PREDATORS AWAY
FROM HUMANS, IT'S JUST AS
IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT THESE
ANIMALS CAN THRIVE IN NATURE IN
REMOTE AREAS WHERE THEY CAN'T
HARM ANYONE.
TO THAT END, BIG COUNTRY IS
PREPARING TO RELEASE THE EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK HE FOUND SLITHERING
ALONG A JOGGER'S PATH.
AND, KNOWING HE'D GET A KICK OUT
OF IT, HE INVITED ERNIE ALONG.
>> THE MOMENT I SAW THIS
RATTLESNAKE, IT HAD ERNIE'S NAME
WRITTEN ALL OVER IT.
I WAS LIKE, "MAN, I GOT TO CALL
ERNIE."
IT'S NOT THAT TALL, BUT IT'S GOT
A LOT OF ***, JUST LIKE YOU.
[ LAUGHS ]
MAN, JUST TRYING TO CATCH HER,
SHE WAS STRIKING MY LEGS, SHE
WAS STRIKING MY HOOK.
AND I KNOW HOW YOU LIKE THE
VIPERS.
>> [ RATTLING ]
>> YOU WANT TO DO THE HONORS?
>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.
LOOK AT THAT.
HE WANTS NOTHING BUT OUT.
>> YEP.
WELL, LET'S LET HER OUT.
>> Narrator: ERNIE AND
BIG COUNTRY TAKE THIS AS ANOTHER
OPPORTUNITY TO TRAIN FOR THE
WILD AND UNPREDICTABLE ANIMAL...
BECAUSE HANDS-ON TRAINING NOW
COULD SAVE SOMEONE'S LIFE IN THE
FUTURE.
>> [ LAUGHS ]
I CAN NEVER PASS UP AN
OPPORTUNITY TO TOUCH AN EASTERN.
>> SHE'S FUN TO PIN.
WHEN YOU PIN HER, SHE WHIPS
RIGHT OUT OF IT, SO YOU'VE GOT
ABOUT A SECOND TO PIN HER.
THE WAY HE HIDES HIS HEAD SO YOU
CAN'T PIN HIM DOWN LETS ME KNOW
THAT THIS GUY KNOWS WHAT'S GOING
ON.
>> Narrator: EASTERN
DIAMONDBACKS ARE NOT ONLY
LIGHTNING FAST, BUT WHEN
STRIKING, THEY'RE UNIQUELY ABLE
TO MANEUVER THEIR FANGS IN
DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, MEANING
THEY CAN STRIKE AND KILL FROM
ANY ANGLE.
>> I'VE SEEN EASTERNS MOVE THEIR
FANGS OVER.
>> I'VE SEEN THEM BRING THEIR
FANG ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE
BACK OF THEIR HEAD.
>> THAT HAPPENED TO A BUDDY OF
MINE WHEN HE WAS MILKING ONE.
HOLDING AN EASTERN DIAMONDBACK
IS DEADLY.
NOT TOO LONG AGO, A FRIEND OF
MINE WHO WAS MILKING A
RATTLESNAKE -- HE'S BEEN MILKING
SNAKES LONGER THAN I'VE BEEN
ALIVE.
>> Narrator: NOTICE THE MAN'S
MIDDLE FINGER, MILLIMETERS FROM
THE FANGS OF THIS DEADLY EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE, BUT
THIS SNAKE WAS ABLE TO REACH FAR
BEYOND WHAT ONE WOULD
ANTICIPATE.
>> MY FRIEND WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, HE RECEIVED EIGHT
VIALS OF ANTIVENOM, AND HE MADE
A FULL RECOVERY.
>> Narrator: KNOWING THIS
SNAKE'S INCREDIBLE ABILITY TO
EXTEND ITS BITE RANGE,
BIG COUNTRY KNOWS THE DANGER AT
HAND, EVEN IN A TRAINING
SCENARIO.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW LONG
SHE IS, THOUGH.
I KEEP RECORDS OF EVERY SNAKE I
CATCH, WHERE I CAUGHT IT, AND
HOW LONG IT WAS.
THIS HELPS TO GIVE US AN IDEA OF
WHERE THE FOOD SOURCES ARE AND
ALSO THE DIFFERENT HABITATS THAT
THE SNAKES PREFER IN
SOUTH FLORIDA.
>> TRY TO STRETCH HER OUT?
THEY DON'T CALL HIM BIG COUNTRY
FOR NOTHING.
HE REALLY LIKES THE BIG, MEAN,
NASTY SNAKES.
HE'S NOT AFRAID TO GET HIS HANDS
IN THERE AND GET DIRTY.
>> SO, LET'S SEE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I'M THINKING 4 1/2.
>> 4 1/2.
>> THIS IS CLEARLY A HEALTHY
RATTLESNAKE, AND IT SHOULD DO
GREAT OUT HERE IN THE OPEN WILD.
I LOVE THESE THINGS.
>> YEAH, DUDE.
THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL.
READY?
>> YEAH.
>> GO AHEAD.
I'LL LET YOU GET OUT HERE AND
FIND A NEW HOME...
ONE WHERE YOU AIN'T GONNA HURT
ANYBODY OR SOMEBODY HURT YOU.
>> OH, THAT'S A PRETTY SHOT.
>> COME ON, SWEETHEART.
POSE FOR THE PIC.
YOU'RE FAMOUS NOW -- FACEBOOK.
CLICK.
>> PLAYING WITH THAT EASTERN
DIAMONDBACK GOT MY BLOOD
PUMPING, BUT THERE'S NOTHING
LIKE HOLDING A GABOON VIPER.
I'M HEADED UP TO MY FRIEND JAY'S
WAREHOUSE.
HE'S A LOCAL BREEDER.
I LENT JAY ONE OF MY GABOON
VIPERS FOR BREEDING, AND I'M
GONNA PASS BY THE SHOP, SEE HOW
THE BREEDING'S GOING, AND SEE
WHAT HE'S GOT IN STOCK.
>> HOW YOU DOING, MAN?
>> GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.
>> YEAH. GOOD.
>> I'M A SNAKE OWNER.
I'M A SNAKE LOVER.
SNAKES HAVE BEEN A PASSION OF
MINE SINCE I WAS 5 OR 6 YEARS
OLD.
SO, THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A JOB
FOR ME.
THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE.
HOW'S THE BREEDING GOING?
>> IT'S GOING GOOD.
I'M HOPING YOUR BIG GIRL'S
ALREADY GRAVID.
>> GABOON VIPERS ARE BEAUTIFUL,
AND THEY GOT THE LONGEST FANGS
IN THE WORLD OF ALL THE VENOMOUS
SNAKES, FANGS UP TO 2 1/2 INCHES
LONG.
YOU THINK I COULD TAKE HER OUT?
>> YEAH, SURE.
>> THE QUANTITY OF VENOM THAT
THIS SNAKE CAN DELIVER IS JUST
UNBELIEVABLE.
IT CAUSES YOUR BLOOD TO THIN
OUT.
YOUR BLOOD'S LIKE WATER.
>> ANYPLACE YOU HAVE A HOLE,
YOU'RE GONNA PRETTY MUCH BLEED
FROM, RIGHT?
>> PRETTY MUCH, YEAH.
WE'VE SEEN BLOOD AND TEARDROPS,
ACTUALLY.
>> Narrator: BUT TAKING A SHOT
OF THE GABOON VIPER'S VENOM IS
LIKE RUSSIAN ROULETTE.
THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS IT CAN
KILL YOU -- BLEEDING OUT,
RESPIRATORY FAILURE, OR
SECONDARY INFECTION.
SUDDENLY, THIS GABOON VIPER IS
TIRED OF BEING HELD AND COMES
BACK ON CHUCK.
>> Narrator: CAPTAIN
CHUCK SEIFERT IS AT A LOCAL
BREEDER TO CHECK ON HIS DEADLY
GABOON VIPER, BUT THE GABOON
DOES NOT WANT TO BE HANDLED,
MAKING THIS AN EXTREMELY
DANGEROUS PROPOSITION.
>> SORRY.
I DIDN'T MEAN TO DROP YOU, NO.
YOU'RE JUST FULLY LOADED, AND
YOU'RE COMING BACK UP ON ME.
THIS GIRL'S MY BABY, AND I LOVE
HER, BUT WITH A DIRECT STRIKE,
SHE'S GONNA KILL ME.
THE ULTIMATE ADRENALINE RUSH IS
WORKING WITH VENOMOUS SNAKES.
BEING FACE-TO-FACE WITH A DEADLY
ANIMAL, YOU'VE GOT A LITTLE BIT
OF ANXIOUSNESS...
AND THE HEART STARTS BEATING,
THE HANDS START SWEATING, AND
IT'S AWESOME FOR ME.
ALL RIGHT, SWEETIE, MAKE SOME
BABIES FOR ME.
>> THAT WOULD BE NICE.
>> SO YOU GET ANYTHING IN NEW TO
THE SHOP?
>> YEAH, I GOT A FEW DIFFERENT
THINGS IN.
[ LAUGHS ]
A LITTLE BABY ALBINO MONOCLED
COBRA.
>> LOOK AT THAT.
SO VISUAL.
>> VERY ALERT.
>> VERY ALERT, YEAH.
ALL THE MOVEMENT.
SHE'S GOT HER EYES SET ON ME,
TOO.
BABY COBRAS ARE JUST LIKE
NOTHING ELSE.
THEY ARE FEISTY, THEY HOOD UP,
THEY STAND UP, BUT THEY DON'T
HAVE THE COORDINATION YET, SO
THEY FALL OVER.
THEY'RE JUST FULL OF FIRE AND
SPICE, YOU KNOW?
THEY CHARGE AT YOU.
THEY'RE JUST THE CUTEST, DEADLY
SNAKE IN THE WORLD AS BABIES.
NOW THAT I'VE SEEN HER, I WANT
HER...
>> [ LAUGHS ]
>> ...ESPECIALLY WITH THE
ATTITUDE THAT SHE HAS.
>> YEAH?
>> HOW MUCH LONGER ARE YOU GOING
TO NEED MY GABOON VIPER FOR?
>> MAYBE A FEW MORE WEEKS.
>> HOPEFULLY SOME BABIES SOON?
>> IT WOULD BE NICE FOR SOME
BABY GABOONS.
>> YEAH. IS THIS YOUR NEW BABY?
>> THIS IS MY NEW BABY.
YEAH, I JUST GOT THIS ABOUT A
MONTH AGO.
>> YOUR FIRST SPORTS CAR?
>> IT'S MY FIRST SPORTS CAR.
>> HAVE YOU EVER DONE ANY DRAG
RACING?
>> NO, I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD A
CHANCE REALLY TO OPEN IT UP YET.
>> THE ADRENALINE RUSH THAT YOU
GET, MAN, IS LIKE HOLDING THAT
FIRST BLACK MAMBA FOR THE FIRST
TIME.
>> REALLY?
>> SO, WE SHOULD RACE EACH
OTHER, MAN.
>> I'LL RACE YOU.
>> HOW ABOUT A LITTLE WAGER,
TOO, TO SWEETEN THE DEAL A
LITTLE BIT?
>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND?
>> WELL, I'M THINKING I LOVE
THAT LITTLE COBRA IN THERE.
>> I KNEW THAT WAS COMING.
>> AND I THINK SHE LOVES ME,
TOO.
>> WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING ON THE
LINE?
MY MALE GABOON'S LOOKING FOR A
FULL-TIME GIRLFRIEND.
>> OH, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE
GABOON.
SHE'S A BREEDER.
SHE'S FULL-SIZED.
THAT SNAKE'S WORTH TWICE AS MUCH
AS THE COBRA.
>> WHAT, ARE YOU AFRAID YOU'RE
GONNA LOSE?
>> I'M NOT GONNA LOSE.
>> WELL, THEN PUT YOUR GABOON
UP!
>> ALL RIGHT. FINE.
>> IT'S ON, MAN.
>> IT'S A DEAL.
>> I'LL SEE YOU ON THE TRACK,
BUDDY.
IT'S RACE DAY.
IT'S ME VERSUS BIG COUNTRY.
I'M STOKED.
MY ADRENALINE'S RUSHING.
I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE RACE.
AND THEN CHUCK PULLS UP, AND
HE'S DRIVING A RUST BUCKET.
>> READY TO RACE?
>> I'M READY TO DO THIS, MAN.
YOU?
>> OH, I'M READY.
>> YOU LOOK AT THE TWO CARS, AND
YOU SEE MINE -- YOU KNOW, I HAD
IT DETAILED YESTERDAY.
CHUCK SAYS HE HAD HIS WASHED,
BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT HASN'T BEEN
WASHED IN PROBABLY 20 YEARS.
>> IT'S A SHARP-LOOKING CAR,
BUT, YOU KNOW, GOOD-LOOKING CARS
DON'T WIN RACES.
>> I'M JUST WORRIED THAT YOU'RE
NOT GONNA MAKE IT.
YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?
YOUR TIRE'S GONNA FLY OFF.
THIS CAR COME OUT OF ICU?
>> YOU KNOW, LOOKS CAN BE
DECEIVING.
MY MUSTANG COULD USE A PAINT
JOB, SHE'S GOT SOME RUST, A LOT
OF WEAR AND TEAR, BUT SHE'S A
SLEEPER.
AND WITH MY FAST REACTION TIME,
I BEAT PEOPLE LEFT AND RIGHT.
IT'S NOT THE CAR THAT WINS THE
RACE.
IT COMES DOWN TO DRIVING.
JAY'S GOT A FASTER CAR, BUT THIS
IS JAY'S FIRST TIME DRAG RACING,
AND DRAG RACING IS A SKILL, JUST
LIKE HANDLING SNAKES.
YOU DON'T START OFF HANDLING A
MAMBA.
YOU START OFF WITH NONVENOMOUS
SNAKES AND WORK UP TO VERY FAST
NONVENOMOUS SNAKES...
AND THEN VERY SLOW VENOMOUS
SNAKES.
AND I'M GOING HOME WITH A BABY
MONOCLED COBRA, THAT CUTE,
LITTLE DEADLY THING.
>> I DON'T WANT TO LOSE WITH A
BABY SEAT IN THE BACK OF THE
CAR.
NOW WE'RE READY.
[ ENGINE REVVING ]
[ ENGINE REVVING ]
>> JAY'S GONNA BE JUST LIKE THAT
LITTLE COBRA OUT THERE, GONNA
STAND UP LIKE THE LITTLE COBRA
AT THE LINE, BE A LITTLE
NERVOUS AND UNCONTROLLED
MOVEMENTS.
WHEN THAT LIGHT TURNS GREEN,
HE'S PROBABLY GONNA FALL OVER
WHEN I'M GOING DOWN THE TRACK.
[ ALL CHANTING "BIG COUNTRY!" ]
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> BY LOSING TO CHUCK TODAY, I
WOULD BE LOSING MY DIGNITY, AND
I DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP A BABY
COBRA.
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
>> THE ADRENALINE OF BEING ON
THE TRACK -- THERE'S NOTHING
LIKE IT.
IT'S LITERALLY LIKE HANDLING A
COBRA OR MAMBA.
YOUR HEART'S BEATING.
IT'S IN YOUR THROAT.
YOUR MOUTH IS DRY, AND YOUR
HANDS ARE SHAKING, ENGINE'S
REVVING, YOU'RE WATCHING THE
LIGHTS, AND BAM!
I GOT OFF THE LINE, I HAD THE
BEST REACTION TIME, BUT I MISSED
2nd GEAR.
AND FROM THAT POINT ON, IT WAS
NECK AND NECK ALL THE WAY TO THE
FINISH LINE.
>> THIS THING IS COMING DOWN TO
THE WIRE.
>> I DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THAT
GABOON VIPER.
THAT SNAKE IS REALLY NEAR AND
DEAR TO MY HEART.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT RACE.
[ ENGINES REVVING ]
>> Narrator: BIG COUNTRY AND
JAY EATON ARE RACING FOR MORE
THAN JUST RAG BRAGGING RIGHTS.
CHUCK'S AT RISK OF LOSING HIS
PRIZED GABOON VIPER FEMALE.
JAY'S GOT HIS BABY
MONOCLED COBRA ON THE LINE.
IT'S WINNER TAKE ALL.
[ ENGINES REVVING ]
>> YEAH!
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ]
THAT WAS CLOSE.
>> THAT WAS REALLY CLOSE.
>> I MISSED 2nd GEAR.
>> DUDE, LOOK AT MY HANDS, BRO.
MY HANDS ARE SHAKING LIKE CRAZY,
DUDE.
>> I'M MORE SHAKEN ABOUT LOSING
A GABOON VIPER AND NOT GETTING A
COBRA.
>> [ Laughing ] THAT WAS
AWESOME.
>> WELL, I LOST A SNAKE TODAY,
WHICH STINKS, BUT THERE'S PLENTY
OF OTHER VENOMOUS SNAKES OUT
THERE, AND BIG COUNTRY WILL
ALWAYS HAVE A HOME FOR THEM.
>> Narrator: BUT SOON ENOUGH,
THE FUN IS OVER.
A WAGER FOR TWO CAPTIVE VENOMOUS
SNAKES CAN'T MASK THE REAL
ISSUE.
NATIVE VENOMOUS SNAKES ARE
BREEDING AND HIDING ALL OVER
SOUTH FLORIDA, AND THEY COULD
STRIKE US WHERE WE'RE MOST
VULNERABLE.
CAPTAIN ERNIE JILLSON IS ON A
CALL FOR A VENOMOUS
WATER MOCCASIN IN THE VICINITY
OF A PLAYGROUND, WHICH SITS NEAR
A CANAL.
>> HAD A GENTLEMAN CALL AND
REFERENCE A BLACK SNAKE.
SAID HE FOUND IT AND PUT A CONE
OVER THE TOP, SO THIS APPEARS TO
BE THE CONE.
WELL, I DON'T SEE IT.
HE COULDN'T BE TOO FAR AWAY.
THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS, YOU
KNOW, IF IT IS A WATER MOCCASIN,
REALLY WANT TO RELOCATE HIM
BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS OF THE
PROXIMITY TO THE PLAYGROUND OVER
HERE.
>> Narrator: IF ERNIE CAN'T FIND
THE SNAKE, AND QUICKLY, HIS NEXT
CALL COULD BE ABOUT A CHILD
BEING BITTEN AND FIGHTING FOR
HIS LIFE.
>> THERE IS HE.
YEAH, IT'S DEFINITELY A
MOCCASIN.
>> Narrator: ERNIE MUST EXERCISE
EXTREME CAUTION BECAUSE THE
DEADLY COTTONMOUTH HAS THE CLEAR
ADVANTAGE IN THIS DENSE BRUSH.
>> ANY TIME I HANDLE A VENOMOUS
SNAKE, THERE'S ALWAYS NEED TO BE
CONCERNED.
THIS IS NOT A GAME.
THERE'S NO ROOM FOR ERROR.
IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, THE
ANIMAL'S GONNA DO WHAT IT'S
MEANT TO DO -- BITE ME.
IT'S A FULLY GROWN WATER
MOCCASIN, CAPABLE OF RENDERING A
VERY LETHAL DOSE OF VENOM.
THOSE ARE HIS FANGS, ALMOST LIKE
A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE.
SO THERE'S REALLY A CONCERN.
AND WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A
CHILD, THAT COULD BE A VERY
DANGEROUS SITUATION.
YOU KNOW, I'M A FATHER MYSELF,
AND IT BOTHERS ME TO THINK THAT
MY DAUGHTER COULD GET BITTEN BY
A WATER MOCCASIN, BUT HONESTLY,
THEY'RE HERE.
THEY'RE EVERYWHERE.
IT'S NICE TO KNOW, THOUGH, THIS
ONE'S GONNA BE MOVED WHERE THE
KIDS WILL BE SAFE TO PLAY.
[ SIGHS ]
>> ONE OF FLORIDA'S FINEST.
>> Narrator: DEADLY COTTONMOUTHS
ARE ALL TOO COMMON IN
SOUTH FLORIDA.
AND THEIR BITES...
ARE AMONG THE MOST REGULARLY
TREATED BY VENOM ONE.
ALSO TOO COMMON IS WHAT BITE
VICTIMS DO AFTER THEY'RE
BITTEN...
WHICH CAN PUT OTHERS' LIVES AT
RISK.
>> 21-YEAR-OLD MALE WAS DOING
TARGET PRACTICE...
OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WOODS.
>> USING A .22 RIFLE, AND HE WAS
SHOOTING OUT CANS AND ANYTHING
ELSE HE COULD FIND THAT LOOKED
LIKE A GOOD TARGET.
>> Narrator: HE SPENT HIS DAY
FIRING BULLETS IN THE SWAMP, BUT
THIS YOUNG MAN HAD NO IDEA THAT
HE HIMSELF WOULD ULTIMATELY
BECOME A TARGET.
[ GUNSHOT ]
>> HE REACHED DOWN TO PICK UP A
NEW TARGET.
THERE WAS A BUCKET ON THE
GROUND.
HE WAS GONNA USE THAT AS A
TARGET.
>> WHAT HE DOESN'T REALIZE IS,
BEHIND THE BUCKET IS A JUVENILE
WATER MOCCASIN, USING IT AS A
PLACE TO HIDE.
>> WHEN HE REACHED DOWN TO PICK
THE BUCKET UP, HE FAILED TO SEE
THE WATER MOCCASIN.
OF COURSE, THE WATER MOCCASIN
SAW HIS HAND COMING AND TOOK
THAT AS AN IMMEDIATE THREAT.
>> Narrator: WHEN THREATENED, A
WATER MOCCASIN FOLLOWS ITS
INSTINCTS AND ATTACKS.
>> IMMEDIATELY, HE FEELS THE
PAIN, THE VENOM SURGING INTO HIS
HAND.
>> REALIZED IT WAS A VENOMOUS
SNAKE, AND LIKE MANY PEOPLE, HE
BELIEVED THAT THAT ANIMAL HAD TO
BE IDENTIFIED AT THE HOSPITAL.
>> HE TAKES A BAT, COVERS THE
SNAKE, HOLDS IT DOWN.
>> HE PICKED IT UP...
AND HELD IT IN HIS HANDS ALL THE
WAY TO THE HOSPITAL.
>> THIS WAS ONE OF MANY MISTAKES
HE MADE THAT NIGHT.
>> Narrator: HE TOOK THAT
AGGRAVATED DEADLY COTTONMOUTH
INTO A HOSPITAL, AND FOR THE
ATTENDING NURSE, IT COULD BE A
DEADLY MISTAKE.
>> Narrator: A YOUNG MAN BITTEN
BY A WATER MOCCASIN BRINGS THE
POTENTIALLY DEADLY SNAKE WITH
HIM TO THE HOSPITAL.
>> HE WALKS PAST SECURITY, WALKS
IN, SAYING HE'S BEEN BITTEN BY A
SNAKE, CARRIES IT UP TO THE
NURSE.
>> HE RAISED IT UP AND STUCK IT
IN HER FACE.
>> Narrator: WATER MOCCASINS ARE
VENOMOUS AND AGGRESSIVE, AND TO
TRANSPORT THEM SAFELY, THEY NEED
TO BE PROPERLY CONTAINED.
UNFORTUNATELY, HOSPITALS DON'T
NORMALLY KEEP CONTAINERS FOR
DEADLY SNAKES.
>> THEY DID HAVE A SUCTION
CANISTER, SO THEY PUT THE SNAKE
IN THERE AND PUT THE LID ON IT.
THAT'S ALL THEY HAD.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT
YOU HAVE TO DO.
>> VENOM ONE WAS CALLED IN,
ARRIVED WITHIN AN HOUR, AND WAS
ABLE TO ASSIST IN THE
ADMINISTRATION OF ANTIVENOM.
>> WITH HAND BITES, THAT
SWELLING IS STARTING TO CUT OFF
CIRCULATION TO THE EXTREMITIES,
TO THE FINGERS, AND THAT CAN
CAUSE COMPARTMENT SYNDROME.
THAT MEANS YOU CAN START HAVING
MORE TISSUE DAMAGE THAN YOU
NORMALLY WOULD SEE.
>> Narrator: THE VICTIM WAS
CAREFULLY MONITORED OVERNIGHT.
>> ALTHOUGH THE MAN'S HANDS
SWELLED PRETTY BAD AND HE WAS IN
A LOT OF PAIN, HE DID MAKE A
FULL RECOVERY.
>> IF YOU ARE BITTEN BY A SNAKE,
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING THAT
SNAKE TO THE HOSPITAL.
WE CAN TELL BY THE SIGNS AND
SYMPTOMS OF YOUR BITE WHAT
YOU'VE BEEN BITTEN BY.
>> Narrator: LIVING AMONG SO
MANY DEADLY SNAKES, YOU MIGHT
EXPECT FLORIDIANS TO BE BETTER
INFORMED ABOUT THEIR SLITHERING
NEIGHBORS, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY,
MISTAKES ARE MADE ALL THE TIME,
MISTAKES WHICH COULD BE FATAL.
>> I AM ON MY WAY TO A CALL FOR
A GUY WHO FOUND A SNAKE IN THE
WILD AND THOUGHT IT WOULD MAKE A
REALLY COOL PET.
I'M ON MY WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT
HE'S GOT.
>> I BOUGHT HIM A RAT JUST TO --
I DON'T KNOW -- FEED IT, I
GUESS.
>> YEAH.
>> AND WHEN I SAW IT SNAPPING,
IT KILLED THE RAT INSTANTLY.
>> THEN YOU THOUGHT, "UH-OH."
>> THAT'S TOO MUCH.
>> AS SOON AS THE GUY SAW THAT
HIS LITTLE SNAKE JUST KILLED A
RAT WITH ONE BITE...
HE REALIZED HIS NEW PET MIGHT
NOT BE A KEEPER.
THAT'S A BABY WATER MOCCASIN.
>> A BITE FROM THAT SNAKE, WHAT
CAN IT DO?
>> PUT YOU IN THE HOSPITAL.
>> CAN IT KILL YOU?
>> IT COULD.
>> [ HISSES ]
>> IF THAT SNAKE BIT YOU, YOU'D
PROBABLY BE LUCKY TO GET OUT
WITH 12 VIALS OF ANTIVENOM, AND
EACH VIAL IS $2,300.
>> I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS THAT
EXPENSIVE AND HOW MANY VIALS YOU
WOULD NEED.
>> TREATMENT FOR A VENOMOUS
SNAKEBITE CAN RACK UP A BIG
HOSPITAL BILL...
BUT SURVIVING IT WITH ALL YOUR
EXTREMITIES INTACT IS PRICELESS.
IF THEY HAD CONTINUED HANDLING
THIS ANIMAL INSTEAD OF PUTTING
IT IN A SECURE CONTAINER, WE
COULD HAVE A BUNCH OF SNAKEBITE
VICTIMS.
I THINK, IN THIS CASE, A LOT OF
THESE GUYS LEARNED A GOOD
LESSON.
AND THAT IS, IF YOU CAN'T
IDENTIFY THE SNAKE, LEAVE IT
ALONE.
>> Narrator: IT'S IMPORTANT FOR
EVERY FLORIDIAN TO TAKE THE TIME
TO LEARN ABOUT THE DEADLY
SPECIES THAT CAN AT ANY TIME
VENTURE WHERE WE'D LEAST EXPECT
THEM...
BECAUSE THEY WERE HERE FIRST AND
THEY'RE NOT LIKELY TO LEAVE
ANYTIME SOON.
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