South African Teen Snake Bites

Because of above average exposure to many kinds of snakes such as the cobra, many South African teens experience snake bites. One case in particular, however, has caught the attention of the media. Fifteen year old Bokamosho Nthelang, nicknamed "Snake Boy", says he has been bitten three times and survived.

Initially the boy appears to have been living with over 150 snakes in his home. After he experienced two biting incidents, one from a cobra and one from a puffadder. His third bite occurred during the first week of April 2008. Officials explain his ability to survive these lethal bites as dependent upon the amount of venom he received from each snake. Greater venom creates a more lethal situation in where the poison can affect breathing and the heart rate, with severity of symptoms leading up to and including death.

Nthelang says he started his snake collection when he was 10 years old. After his first to biting incidents, officials removed the snakes from his home to a local nature preservation area. Seeing his interest in the reptiles, they indicated they will look into getting him formal training to handle the snakes. Until that time, he is still not allowed to keep snakes in his home.

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