Deadly Snake Bites Woman 3 Times In 'Self Defense' After She Picks Reptile Up

Not many people have the courage to pick up snakes. However, there are some who do so thinking the snake might be harmless. This can prove dangerous, as was seen in the case of an unidentified woman in Durban, South Africa.

The woman was bitten three times by a venomous snake after she picked up the reptile assuming it to be harmless.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, snake catcher Nick Evans wrote the woman was bitten by a Stiletto Snake after she picked it up allegedly in an attempt to relocate the reptile. Few hours later, the woman contacted local snake rescuer Warren Dick who in turn informed Evans.

The woman told Evans she was not too keen on going to the hospital. Evans then called up an expert who "advised that the arm should be elevated and rested, and that she should drink lots of fluids. Apart from that, she just had to monitor it."

The expert also told Evans "one only knows how bad a Stiletto bite really is after about 4-6 days."

"She had actually bandaged the bite soon after it happened. This is not advisable. She did end up removing it. Luckily for this lady, she doesn't seem to be suffering too much, and may be able to avoid a trip to hospital, as well as no damage," Evans wrote in the Facebook post, adding that in some cases, people "get a full dose of venom, and get horrid necrosis, resulting in the partial loss of a finger."

Adding that the reptile attacked in "self-defense," Evans wrote the snake has since been captured and released into the wild.

Issuing a warning, Evans wrote, "Another reminder for people to not pick up snakes in their garden! Please! Stilettos are very active at the moment."

The post has since gone viral on Facebook.

Answering a question on the effects of Stiletto Snake bite on dogs and cats, Nick wrote in the comments section, "Never seen anything but swelling on dogs that have been bitten. Maybe slight. Necrosis if I recall. But no it shouldn't be fatal."