FLORENCE, S.C. — If you’re afraid of snakes, read no further.
Florence EMS responding to a call from a man reporting a snake bite found more than a dozen venomous snakes in a residence on Marion Street in Florence.
It all began around 2 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, when Jeffery Leibowitz contacted EMS and reported he had been bitten by a snake. He did not immediately tell responders the snake was venomous or that there were other venomous snakes inside the home.
Around 9 a.m., EMS contacted Florence Police Department (FPD) regarding the situation when it was discovered that Leibowitz had been bitten by an inland taipan — an extremely venomous snake that, according to Wikipedia, “possesses the most toxic venom of any reptile when tested on human heart cell culture… One bite possesses enough lethality to kill more than 100 fully grown humans.”
Leibowitz had posted on social media after being bitten: “Anyone who has anti-venom for an inland taipan or knows someone who does please call McLeod Hospital in Florence South Carolina.”
After being notified of the existence of more snakes in the home, FPD got a search warrant for Leibowitz’s residence and contacted South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) for guidance on accessing conditions of proper storage of any snakes and the risk factor of any snakes that might be located.
During the search, FPD and SCDNR located 14 venomous snakes along with 2 domestic cats.
The 14 snakes at the residence included:
- 1 Green Mamba
- 2 Gaboon Vipers
- 1 Fer-de-Lance
- 1 Death Adder
- 1 Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
- 2 Black Forest Cobras
- 2 Adult Rattlesnakes (species unknown)
- 2 Neotropical Rattlesnakes
- 1 Small Rattlesnake (species unknown)
- 1 Inland Taipan
FPD tried to find temporary holdings for the snakes, reaching out to facilities including Riverbanks Zoo, Alligator Adventure, Reptile Lagoon and Edisto Island Serpentarium. All facilities advised they could not take the snakes due to the fear of possible health issues with the snakes and/or contamination that could introduce disease or threaten the sterile conditions at the various facilities.
Due to the serious nature of Leibowitz’s injury and his condition, a family member was contacted who took temporary possession of the animals before handing them over to FPD with the understanding that the snakes would be humanely euthanized per guidance from the facilities contacted.
The cats were taken to a local animal shelter for care.
Leibowitz remains in serious condition.
