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
6 days ago
