Zoo Worker Bitten On Neck By Snake As Children Look On

A Brevard Zoo worker was attacked by a 5-foot snake Thursday right in front of a classroom full of kids. She was bitten in the neck by a boa constrictor, an unusual attack for that type of snake.

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Unlike rattle snakes and cobras, boa constrictors don't typically use their teeth to go after their prey. Their teeth are relatively small, still the woman bit Thursday was taken to the hospital and the snake was locked up.

Rose, the 5-foot long boa constrictor, hid in the back of her enclosure for at least an hour after she lashed out at one of her handlers. Eyewitnesses said the bite was instantaneous, described as a nick to the neck of the zoo worker, whose name has not been released.

Staff said the bite wasn't a particularly serious injury, but colleagues still called for an ambulance.

"It had more to do with her being lightheaded about 15 minutes after it happened," said Andrea Hill, Brevard Zoo.

Zoo staff said the woman was showing the 13-year-old snake to young kids at a zoo day camp and was putting it back in the case when it bit her.

"They were there when it happened and I do know they asked if she was okay and we said, 'Yes, she was bitten,'" Hill said.

Snake handlers said boa constrictors don't typically bite people. Their teeth are not generally used to catch prey or chew, but rather to push food they've strangled through their mouth. Zoo staff said they are constantly reminded they are animals, not pets, and have natural instincts.

"Any animal with a mouth can obviously injure you," Hill said.

Zoo staff are keeping Rose and other snakes off limits for the time being while they try to determine what, if anything, might have provoked the snake to strike. One thing they are looking into is whether the woman handled any rodents before she held onto the snake. Handlers said just the scent of a mouse or rat might have been enough to spur the bite. They are also looking into whether a loud noise may have spooked the animal.

The handler was out of the hospital Thursday afternoon and said to be okay.

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