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CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS (Tennessee) 31 January 11 Snakebite death puzzles experts (Kate Harrison)
Reptile experts and wildlife officials were stunned by the news that an East Ridge man died Saturday after being bitten by a copperhead snake.
Wade Westbrook, 26, was bitten on his upper right arm while handling a copperhead his friend brought over, according to East Ridge Police.
"It's extremely unusual for someone to die from a copperhead bite. It is especially unusual for someone to die as quickly as he did. And it is very rare for someone in a metropolitan area to succumb to a bite. Usually they are able to get help in time," said Dan Hicks, spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, which is conducting a follow-up investigation along with East Ridge Police. "The people at his home said he was blue in the face after 10 minutes."
Emergency medical personnel arrived at the house at 1058 Blanton Drive around 8 p.m. They attempted CPR on Westbrook, then took him to Erlanger hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The snake also was taken to the hospital so physicians would know how to treat Westbrook. Physicians confirmed that the snake was a copperhead, East Ridge police said Sunday night.
The man who literally wrote the book on Southeastern snakes said copperhead fatalities are "rare to nonexistent."
"If he was 26 and healthy, it is highly unlikely that one bite could kill him," said Dr. Whit Gibbons, emeritus ecology professor at the University of Georgia and co-author of "Snakes of the Southeast."
"I'm not saying it couldn't happen, but it would be a first," Gibbons said.
Because of this, Hicks said his agency is not verifying that Westbrook actually died from a snakebite until an autopsy is completed. He said it is possible that some other factor was involved, such as some pre-existing condition.
Westbrook had several exotic snakes and native turtles in his home, Hicks said.
"According to his wife, it seems he was a wildlife enthusiast who had taken it to the next level," said Hicks.
East Ridge Police spokesman Erik Hopkins said Westbrook's friend brought the copperhead over so Westbrook could determine the snake's sex.
Westbrook's Facebook page says he is interested in books that relate to "anything reptile."
Tennessee Aquarium herpetologist Courtney Lewis said Sunday that copperheads usually are hibernating in winter.
"Usually if you leave them alone, they leave you alone. Copperheads typically only bite humans if they feel threatened," she explained.
Hicks said in Tennessee it is illegal to take any native species out of its habitat.
East Ridge Animal Control took the other reptiles from the home. The copperhead has been handed over to the TWRA.
Hicks said the copperhead probably will be given to a wildlife refuge.
Westbrook was the father of one. His widow could not be reached for comment Sunday afternoon.
"She's doing the best she can, considering the situation," Hicks said. "I think she was ready to get rid of the menagerie."
Snakebite death puzzles experts

WRCB (Chattanooga, Tennessee) 31 January 11 Official cause of death determined in snake bite case (Megan Boatwright)
East Ridge, TN.: Eyewitness News is learning more about an East Ridge man, who died after he was bitten by a copperhead.
Officials tell us the snake bit 26-year-old Wade Westbrook just above the elbow.
Within minutes, he was unconscious.
His mother tells Channel 3 this is not the first time he's been bitten by that same type of snake.
Officials say Westbrook died of anaphylactic shock.
Reports indicate 36 minutes passed from the time 911 was called to Westbrook's arrival at Erlanger.
According to police reports, he was unconscious for 10 minutes before 911 was even called.
Wade Westbrook was a husband and father. He spent Saturday with his 3-year-old son before a friend brought a small copperhead snake to his home on Blanton Drive.
"More snake bites happen from people trying to handle snakes whether it's out in the woods, or just found one in the home or whatever," says Dr. Chris Moore.
That is exactly what Westbrook was doing when he the snake struck. Dr. Chris Moore is the Director of Wilderness Medicine for the University of Tennessee and says death from snake bites, especially copperheads, are rare.
"In most cases copperhead bites are treated with observation and support without ever having to give anti-venom," says Dr. Moore.
Westbrook was pronounced dead upon arrival at Erlanger.
According to East Ridge police reports, Westbrook tried to extract the venom with a tool after he was bitten, then he began coughing and vomiting before he collapsed.
"The death certificate lists that he died due to anaphylactic shock as a result of the snake bite," says Eric Hopkins, spokesperson for the East Ridge Police Department.
Westbrook's family declined to talk on camera, but his mother tells Channel 3 he's been fascinated with snakes since he was a boy.
He'd been bitten by a copperhead snake before, which is probably why police reports show 911 wasn't called for 10 minutes after he collapsed.
Moore says you never know when someone will go into shock.
"Patients can get hypersensitized to snakes, not only from previous bites, but studies have shown that people that handle snakes can develop hypersensitivity to them," says Dr. Moore.
Anaphylaxis is a severe form of allergic reaction.
Dr. Moore says it's an immediate life-threatening situation.
Police aren't releasing the name of the friend who brought the snake over that night and don't believe the copperhead was a pet.
The case is still under investigation, but police don't expect to file charges.
Official cause of death determined in snake bite case