Dad leaps into action when his child spots Texas’ most venomous snake on their patio
_fitted.png "A Texas man captured a highly venomous snake after his son spotted it at their home.")
A Texas man recently wrangled one of the most venomous snakes in the country after his son spotted the brightly-colored serpent slithering on their patio.
Bill Holdar, of San Antonio, posted a picture on Facebook of the red, yellow and black banded snake after he captured it.
The coral snake, of “red and yellow kill a fellow” fame, is the most venomous snake found in Texas, according to state wildlife officials. Though rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and copperheads may be more infamous, the coral snake’s venom packs a greater punch.
The snake is generally “shy” and bites are rare but very toxic.
Holdar’s son is just 3 years old, but already knows what to do when he sees a snake, Holdar told the San Antonio Express-News.
“I’ve been pretty vigilant about teaching him not to approach wild snakes and to inform an adult,” he said. “I was proud he was able to identify it as a coral snake and understood the danger.”
Though Holdar caged the snake after capture, he told fellow reptile enthusiasts he plans to relocate it, not keep it as a pet.
This was welcome news, even among snake lovers, whose passion for fanged and scaly things is outweighed by their sense of self-preservation — at least in this case.
“I wouldn’t want a pet that can kill me with one bite,” a comment said. “But that’s some people’s cup of tea.”
“They are beautiful, but I have no desire to see one up close and personal!” read another.
“Pictures are just fine,” a commenter agreed.
This story was originally published April 13, 2022 at 1:45 PM with the headline "Dad leaps into action when his child spots Texas’ most venomous snake on their patio."