A routine attempt to kill a venomous cobra turned into a medical emergency for a 72-year-old man in eastern China after the snake’s severed head bit him about five minutes later. According to a report by Global Times, the incident left the man with a severely damaged hand, requiring multiple surgeries and nearly two months of treatment before doctors could save the limb.
A deadly bite after the snake was decapitated
The incident occurred when the elderly man encountered a cobra and cut off its head, believing the danger had passed. About five minutes later, while attempting to pick up the severed head, it suddenly bit his palm.Although the snake had already been decapitated, venom was still delivered through the bite. According to experts, snakes can continue to display reflexive movements for a period after death because their nervous system remains active. As a result, the detached head was still capable of biting and injecting venom.The bite left the man’s hand with extensive tissue damage. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors began emergency treatment to prevent the venom from causing irreversible tissue damage.
Image Credit: X/ Sanghai Daily
Two months of treatment to save the hand
Doctors reportedly performed multiple surgical procedures over the following weeks to remove damaged tissue and preserve the function of the hand.The patient remained under treatment for nearly two months before his condition improved significantly. Medical teams described the recovery as challenging because cobra venom can rapidly destroy tissue, affect blood vessels and increase the risk of permanent disability if treatment is delayed.According to the report, timely medical intervention played a crucial role in preventing the loss of the man’s hand. The case also highlights the seriousness of venomous snakebites, even when the snake appears to be dead.
Why a dead snake can still be dangerous
Wildlife and medical experts caution that venomous snakes should never be handled with bare hands, even after they have been killed. A severed snake head can retain the ability to bite through involuntary muscle and nerve reflexes for several minutes, and in some conditions, even longer.Venom glands located in the head remain intact after decapitation, meaning a reflex bite can still inject a dangerous amount of venom. For this reason, experts recommend avoiding any direct contact with dead venomous snakes and leaving their removal to trained professionals whenever possible.Anyone bitten by a venomous snake, whether the animal is alive or dead, should seek immediate medical care rather than attempting home remedies. Rapid treatment, including antivenom when appropriate, offers the best chance of preventing severe complications and permanent injury.The case serves as a reminder that a venomous snake can remain hazardous even after it has been killed, and that caution should continue until it has been safely disposed of.
