VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A Volusia man thought he'd become affected with venom from a rattlesnake he brought home.
Sergio Iglesias, 18, found the snake at the Ashton Point apartment complex in Port Orange, investigators said.
Investigators said Iglesias was OK.
A maintenance worker said he's found snakes around the air conditioning units where it's warm.
Iglesias said he carried it all the way to his apartment as it thrashed around. He put it in a plastic container. The reptile spewed venom all over his hand and into an open cut, so his mother called 911.
Experts said when the temperature changes the snakes will move to find warmer areas. They said it's not surprising that the snake was at the apartment complex right next to its natural habitat--a pine forest.
Officials confirmed it was an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.
Experts say Iglesias is lucky to be alive and advise people to never approach a creature this dangerous.
Iglesias will not face any charges for handling the snake.
The snake went to the Reptile Discovery Center in DeLand where it will be used to collect venom to create anti-venom.
WFTV
