A snake influencer, Jeff Leibowitz, who advocates a controversial practice known as free-handling, demonstrated on Instagram how he uses his bare hands to control his pet inland taipan, one of the world’s most venomous snakes. Despite assuring viewers that there was no need to be scared if you know the snake’s limitations, hours later, he was critically ill in the hospital after the snake bit him. This incident caused disquiet among snake owners and led to complaints that the trend of free-handling, where daredevils compete to show how they can tame their lethal pets, is irresponsible.
Mark O’Shea MBE, a professor of herpetology, criticized Mr Leibowitz’s attempts to control snakes using pseudoscience, calling it foolish to free-handle such a lethal snake as the inland taipan. The inland taipan’s venom is potent enough to kill 100 adult men in a single bite, making it incredibly dangerous. Prof O’Shea hoped that this incident could serve as a warning to Mr Leibowitz’s followers, emphasizing that there is no need to show off by handling dangerous snakes and that it ultimately comes down to ego.
Despite criticism from experts like Prof O’Shea, Mr Leibowitz continued to flaunt his dangerous behavior on social media, posting clips of himself handling venomous snakes like the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the green mamba. His disregard for safety precautions and his nonchalant attitude towards the risks involved in handling such deadly creatures eventually led to a near-fatal incident when he was bitten by an inland taipan. The shortage of antivenom in South Carolina further exacerbated the situation and resulted in Mr Leibowitz being hospitalized in critical condition due to prolonged bleeding and likely organ damage.
On social media, reactions to Mr Leibowitz’s situation varied, with some blaming his own negligence and lack of safety precautions for the incident. Others viewed it as a form of “natural selection” due to his reckless behavior. The seizure of 14 snakes from Mr Leibowitz’s home, including rattlesnakes, vipers, cobras, and an inland taipan, raised concerns about the animals’ living conditions and safety risks. These concerns led to all 14 snakes being euthanized after no zoos or reptile farms in the state would accept them.
Mr Leibowitz’s family provided updates on his condition, stating that he had received antivenom and was in intensive care on a ventilator. He was facing potential long-lasting or permanent organ damage as a result of the snake bite and subsequent delay in receiving treatment. The incident highlighted the dangers of free-handling venomous snakes and the importance of respecting the inherent risks associated with these creatures. As Mr Leibowitz continued to recover in the hospital, the consequences of his actions served as a sobering reminder of the dangers of handling deadly animals without proper precautions.
