According to News Channel Fox 13, An 18-year-old Austin Hatfield of Wimauma was immediately hospitalized after being bitten by a cottonmouth snake while he attempted to kiss it.
Hatfield’s friends said that he captured the snake from his girlfriend's yard several days before and he was like just keeping it in a pillowcase. Hatfield will occasionally took the snake out just to kiss it on the mouth.
"He took it out, put it on his chest and it was acting funny, and it jumped up and got him," said Jason Belcher, who witnessed the attack. "He ripped it off his face, threw it on the ground and he started swelling up immediately. It was pretty frightening."
The 18-year-old Hatfield was rushed to Tampa General Hospital's emergency room and he is in a very critical condition, but doctors have since said that he is expected to recover from it . Although cottonmouth bites can be effectively treated with antivenom, the snake is still considered to be very dangerous and have been known to cause deaths. Common symptoms of a cottonmouth bite include severe swellin, signs of shock and intense pain due to the body's reaction to the venom.
Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said that they are already investigating the case and have euthanized the snake. However, According to FWC spokesperson Gary Morse, Hatfield could face charges for illegally capturing and keeping the cottonmouth without any issued permit. Cottonmouths, also known as mangrove rattlers or worm-tailed pitvipers, are considered dangerous animals and Morse said that those who come across them should keep their distance.
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