2 months ago
MAUMELLE, Ark. (AP) — A high school football player in Arkansas had every right to be rattled after finding a venomous snake inside his helmet during practice.
The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following warmups last week and brought his helmet to an ******* istant coach for inspection. A slithering, 2-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding.
The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that police officers had to pour water into it to force the snake out and into a bag. Animal services technicians arrived a few minutes later, identified the snake as a deadly cottonmouth and took it to a wooded area far from the school.
Cottonmouths are the second-most venomous snakes found in Arkansas.
Animal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly an hour and was fortunate he wasn't bitten.
#inside
The Maumelle High student felt unusual movement inside his headgear following warmups last week and brought his helmet to an ******* istant coach for inspection. A slithering, 2-foot cottonmouth was discovered behind some padding.
The pit viper was so reluctant to exit the helmet that police officers had to pour water into it to force the snake out and into a bag. Animal services technicians arrived a few minutes later, identified the snake as a deadly cottonmouth and took it to a wooded area far from the school.
Cottonmouths are the second-most venomous snakes found in Arkansas.
Animal services director Chris Davis said the player wore the helmet for nearly an hour and was fortunate he wasn't bitten.
#inside
2 months ago
As the football season quickly approaches, high school teams across Arkansas are ramping up their practices in preparation for the upcoming games. In a scary turn of events, one Maumelle High School player discovered he had been unknowingly sharing his helmet with a dangerous reptile for more than an hour during an August practice session.
The player from Maumelle High School had been practicing with a cottonmouth, one of the most venomous snakes native to Arkansas, nestled in the padding of his helmet.
The snake went undetected throughout drills until the player noticed persistent discomfort and alerted the coaching staff. Upon closer inspection, the coaches were stunned to find the two-foot-long Cottonmouth coiled inside the helmet lining.
Cottonmouth snakes possess potent venom that, if bitten, can cause intense pain, swelling, and tissue damage. Although deaths are uncommon, prompt medical treatment is essential to prevent lasting tissue loss or scarring.
Maumelle Animal Services responded to the scene and carefully extracted the cottonmouth from the helmet without incident. The snake was safely relocated to a wooded area far from the school grounds.
#school #cottonmouth
The player from Maumelle High School had been practicing with a cottonmouth, one of the most venomous snakes native to Arkansas, nestled in the padding of his helmet.
The snake went undetected throughout drills until the player noticed persistent discomfort and alerted the coaching staff. Upon closer inspection, the coaches were stunned to find the two-foot-long Cottonmouth coiled inside the helmet lining.
Cottonmouth snakes possess potent venom that, if bitten, can cause intense pain, swelling, and tissue damage. Although deaths are uncommon, prompt medical treatment is essential to prevent lasting tissue loss or scarring.
Maumelle Animal Services responded to the scene and carefully extracted the cottonmouth from the helmet without incident. The snake was safely relocated to a wooded area far from the school grounds.
#school #cottonmouth
