NEWS JOURNAL (Mansfield, Ohio) 07 February 05 Viper bites owner (Jennifer Kowalewski)
Bucyrus: A 43-year-old Crawford County man remained hospitalized Sunday after his deadly rhinoceros viper snake bit him.
The Crawford County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call at 3:52 a.m. Sunday regarding the bite. An ambulance took Phil Gallant, 43, of 1940 Broken Sword Road, Lyken Township, to Bucyrus Community Hospital.
From there, a helicopter flew him to a Cincinnati hospital equipped with anti-venom.
As of 10:45 p.m. Sunday, Gallant was listed in fair condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Erika Turan said.
NBC 4 TV in Columbus reported Sunday that Gallant had more than a dozen snakes in his home, but the sheriff's department would not confirm that.
Crawford County Sheriff Ronny Shawber said Gallant kept his snakes in a separate building. Gallant may have been handling the snake when he was bitten, the sheriff said.
Shawber would not comment further.
The rhinoceros viper is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in the world, according to numerous Web sources.
When fully grown, the viper can measure nearly 4 feet.
The colors and patterns of the snake camouflage it in its tropical habitat in Africa. The snake has two or three horn-like features above each nostril.
When excited, the rhinoceros viper can enlarge its size by inflating its body.
Rhinoceros vipers use long fangs, potent venom and powerful jaw muscles to kill their prey. The venom can be deadly, destroying the nervous system, tissue and blood vessels.
Rhinoceros vipers usually feed on small mammals, although they have been seen eating fish and amphibians.
The snake usually will not bite unless provoked or hungry.
At MedCentral/Mansfield Hospital, a spokeswoman said the hospital staff would handle a snakebite case by first contacting the Poison Control Center, then the Columbus Zoo. Usually, the patient would be flown elsewhere because local hospitals are not equipped with anti-venom.
Poison Control Center media representatives did not return phone calls Sunday night.
About the snake
Name: Rhinoceros viper
Scientific name: Bitis nasicornis
Range: Central and western Africa
Habitat: Wetlands and tropical forest
Status: Not threatened
Size: 2 to 4 feet long
Source: whozoo.org
Viper bites owner
