Florence man remains in serious condition after being bitten by world's deadliest snake, authorities say

FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) — A Florence man remains in serious condition after being bitten by the world's most venomous snake. It was one of 14 snakes eventually euthanized, authorities said Monday evening.

Jeffrey Leibowitz called emergency services early Friday morning after being bitten by a snake in his Marion Street home, but it wasn't until hours later that officers learned the attack had been carried out by an inland taipan, Florence police said.

Later Friday morning, police were notified that there might be additional venomous snakes in Leibowitz's home. They obtained a search warrant and contacted state wildlife authorities for assistance in controlling the snakes.

The search yielded two cats and 14 snakes, including a green mamba, two Gaboon vipers, a ferruginous snake, a death adder, a diamondback rattlesnake, two black forest cobras, two adult rattlesnakes (species unknown), two neotropical rattlesnakes, a small rattlesnake (species unknown) and an inland taipan.

According to police, Leibowitz's condition was still serious on Monday evening.

Jeff Camper, a biologist and snake specialist at Francis Marion University, said the bite was caused by an Australian inland taipan, known for having the world's most potent venom.

“It contains components that are both toxic to humans and neurotoxic … and components that also affect the muscles and the heart,” he said. “So it's a very, very dangerous, powerful poison.”

Camper said venom types vary from snake to snake and that some cause throbbing pain, severe swelling and skin discoloration.

Camper said a bite from the same species of snake that bit the man could kill up to 100 people. Rescue workers treated the man with antivenom flown in from Florida, authorities said.

Camper said Leibowitz may face a long recovery.

“His body will probably give up relatively soon. My understanding is that he is on a ventilator, and that is necessary for the patient to continue breathing as his diaphragm is likely paralyzed,” Camper said. “He could have long-term or permanent damage to various organs.”

Florence police said there are no state laws prohibiting ownership of the animals, but their sale, transportation and relocation could be a violation of state regulations.

Authorities contacted several facilities, including the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, Alligator Adventure, Reptile Lagoon and the Edisto Island Serpentarium, to find temporary housing and proper care for the snakes. None of these facilities were able to take the snakes because of unknown health and environmental concerns, such as their living conditions and possible disease.

“In discussions with facility experts and the SCDNR, it was determined that the current habitat is unsuitable and unsafe for these snakes,” police said.

A family member of the owner took possession of the animals and signed a voluntary surrender form, handing them over to the Florence police for euthanasia.

“[Florence Police Department] “We have attempted to have these animals collected by numerous professional facilities so that they would NOT be euthanized, but could be examined or exhibited in a professional setting,” police said in an email Tuesday morning. “Since these facilities would not do that, our only option was to euthanize them.”

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Adam Benson joined News13's digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stints at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and graduate of the University of Utah. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12You can find more of his work here.

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Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is a native of Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more about her work here.

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Jordan White is a digital producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a native of Myrtle Beach, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and read more about her work here.

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