FLORENCE, S.C. — If you're afraid of snakes, read no further.
Florence Emergency Medical Services (EMS), responding to a call from a man reporting a snake bite, found more than a dozen venomous snakes in a residence on Marion Street in Florence.
According to Florence Police, it all began around 2 a.m. on Sept. 6 when Jeffery Leibowitz contacted EMS and reported that a snake had bitten him. Authorities said he did not immediately tell responders the snake was venomous or that other venomous snakes were inside the home.
Around 9 a.m., EMS contacted the Florence Police Department (FPD) regarding the situation when they learned that an inland taipan had bitten Leibowitz.
According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, the inland taipan has the world's deadliest venom, which can "paralyze muscles, inhibit breathing, cause hemorrhaging in blood vessels and tissues and damage muscles." The Australia Zoo estimated that one bite possesses enough lethality to kill about 100 fully grown humans.
Leibowitz posted on social media after being bitten: "Anyone who has anti-venom for an inland taipan or knows someone who does, please call McLeod Hospital in Florence, South Carolina."
After being notified of the existence of more snakes in the home, FPD obtained a search warrant for Leibowitz's residence and contacted the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for guidance on accessing conditions for proper storage of any snakes and the risk factor of any snakes that might be located.
During the search, Florence Police and DNR located 14 venomous snakes and two domestic cats.
The 14 snakes at the residence included:
- 1 Green Mamba
- 2 Gaboon Vipers
- 1 Fer-de-Lance
- 1 Death Adder
- 1 Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
- 2 Black Forest Cobras
- 2 Adult Rattlesnakes (species unknown)
- 2 Neotropical Rattlesnakes
- 1 Small Rattlesnake (species unknown)
- 1 Inland Taipan
Florence Police tried to find temporary holdings for the snakes, contacting facilities including Riverbanks Zoo, Alligator Adventure, Reptile Lagoon and Edisto Island Serpentarium. All facilities advised they could not take the snakes due to the fear of possible health issues with the snakes and contamination that could introduce disease or threaten the sterile conditions at the various facilities.
Due to the serious nature of Leibowitz's injury and his condition, a family member was contacted who took temporary possession of the animals before handing them over to FPD with the understanding that the snakes would be humanely euthanized per guidance from the facilities contacted.
The cats were taken to a local animal shelter for care.
Leibowitz remains in serious condition.
