SC man bitten by one of the world's most venomous snakes had other dangerous snakes as pets

FLORENCE SC (WPDE) — Some of the world's most dangerous snakes have been removed from a South Carolina apartment where a man was bitten by one of the venomous reptiles, police said.

The man's condition was described as serious.

The officers found the following snake species:

• A green mamba
• Two Gaboon vipers
• A lance tip
• A death adder
• A diamondback rattlesnake
• Two black forest cobras
• Two adult rattlesnakes (species unknown)
• An inland taipan
• Two neotropical rattlesnakes
• A small rattlesnake (species unknown)

A source told WPDE that the victim was bitten by an inland taipan snake and that local hospitals did not have antivenom. Doctors had to get it from an out-of-state medical facility.

According to the Australian Museum, although the inland taipan is “often referred to as the most venomous snake in the world,” it is by no means the most dangerous.

Officers concluded that the man's residence may have been home to several “wild” or dangerous animals and issued a search warrant. A family member gave police permission to collect the snakes. Officers say 14 snakes and two domestic cats were collected and taken away by animal control.

In the city of Florence there is an ordinance that mentions poisonous snakes and constrictors, but does not prohibit the possession of such snakes.

The regulation goes on to state:

“No person shall sell, exchange, or give away as a pet any carnivorous animal that is not normally domesticated. Such animals include, but are not limited to, those listed in Section 3-1 of the definition of wild animals.”

The state has not issued a specific ordinance against it, but says reselling or keeping the reptiles is not legal. Police said there is no ordinance in Florence County prohibiting the possession of venomous snakes.

According to Florence Police, all of the snakes were humanely euthanized. Police clarified that they attempted to have the snakes collected by numerous professional facilities so they could be examined or exhibited in a professional setting. Those facilities were unable to do so and the only option was to have them euthanized.

Officials said they had tried to persuade other groups and zoos that professionally care for reptiles to take in the animals, but they did not know the animals' history of care and treatment.

Florence Police contacted area facilities, but they were unable to accept the snakes due to unknown health and environmental concerns. For example, if these snakes had health issues or were contaminated by their current living conditions, they could bring health problems to the area surrounding the facility and harm other animals.