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Owner Bitten by Pet Cobra While Picking Mites off the Reptile

WEST HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - A man was bitten by his pet cobra while picking mites off the poisonous snake.

The 25-year-old man, whose identity was not released, drove himself to a nearby hospital after being bitten on the thumb Monday. He was later transported to Jacobi Medical Center in New York, a regional center for the treatment of snake bites.

The hospital works with the Bronx Zoo, which stocks a variety of snake anti-venoms. The man's vital signs were beginning to slide when he reached New York, said Dr. Michael Touger, and he could have died had he not received anti-venom.

The man could be hospitalized for several days, and may need surgery on his thumb, Touger said.

Connecticut law forbids individuals from owning venomous snakes. The Asian cobra was confiscated and the man could face state and federal charges, authorities said.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

Answers

Some years ago, a youth broke into the Washington National Zoo and made off with a Gabon viper, in a garbage bag slung over his shoulder. The snake bit him through the garbage bag. I believe he survived. Another mad dash for a Darwin Award.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

"A man was bitten by his pet cobra while picking mites off the poisonous snake."

This is the kind of relationship that my mother has with my temperamental tabby, Ginger. Mother has decided that Ginger must like her because she spends so much time with her on her bed (although I think that Ginger is also factoring in that Mother tends to leave her electric blanket on 24/7). However, at some point during the visit Ginger invariably finds she must remind Mother of some rule.

Mother doesn't understand why Ginger can't be trained. Ginger doesn't understand why Mother can't be trained.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001

Connecticut law forbids individuals from owning venomous snakes

Sounds a bit unconstitutional to me. Now, if it said that you couldn't breed them, and explained that the animals had to be kept a certain way, like in a cage with holes no bigger than say, the owners pea brain, then I could accept the law.

-- Anonymous, December 18, 2001