Posted on 04/22/2015 5:08:38 PM PDT by Brother Cracker
WIMAUMA, Fla., A Florida man is recovering from a cottonmouth snake bite to his lip after he allegedly tried to smooch the serpent on the mouth.
Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said Austin Hatfield, 18, captured the 4-foot cottonmouth, also known as a water moccasin, while swimming last week and kept it in a pillowcase at his girlfriend's house, where he was bitten on the lip.
Friends told investigators Hatfield was trying to kiss the snake when it struck him.
Hatfield was initially hospitalized in critical condition, but his status was upgraded to good condition and officials said he is expected to make a full recovery.
Investigators said Hatfield did not possess the proper permits required by the state to catch and keep cottonmouth snakes.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is investigating the incident.
It should hurt to be that stupid.
If he does it again..., well...
Well...maybe not out past the sticks, but it is out past Walmart.
I dare him to try to kiss nancy Pelosi next
The guy, a long-time horn-dog, was earlier heard saying, “Find me a snake and hold him by the ears.”
Darwin Awards 2015 nominee.
I never fish in the Gulf but haven’t heard of any real problems. I do see on the news every now and then where the fishermen are complaining about regulations.
It has just been my experience in rural north GA to call them the same thing.
Never really mattered to me as I pretty much avoided all snakes just as a matter of course. Didn’t stop me from getting bitten by scorpions or spiders tho.
Take care
FL
**I hope his girlfriend is paying attention and moves on.**
Some species of women in the South of the US find this behavior charming.
Darwin award nominee?
I’m a Southern woman and I think he is a lunatic.
Notice I said some. My wife is a Southerner who thinks he is as crazy as a loon.
And I am a Southern male who, when facing a snake, looks for a shotgun.
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