Weird files: Arkansas HS athlete practiced with cottonmouth snake nestled inside his helmet

Article contributors: Adam D. Hess, Henry Bray, Todd Coppernoll

A high school football player at Maumelle High in Arkansas experienced a terrifying close call last week when he discovered a two-foot venomous cottonmouth snake nestled inside his helmet. The student-athlete had already completed warmups and wore the gear for nearly an hour before noticing unusual movement against his head. Upon inspection by an assistant coach, the deadly pit viper was found coiled behind the helmet’s padding. Because the snake was reluctant to leave its dark hiding spot, police officers had to intervene by pouring water into the headgear to flush the reptile into a bag for safe relocation to a wooded area.

Maumelle animal services director Chris Davis noted that the player was incredibly fortunate to have avoided a bite, especially considering the cottonmouth is the second-most venomous snake in the state. Experts suggested the snake might have been seeking a dark place to digest a recent meal when it crawled into the helmet while it was left on the ground. Following the incident, the head coach used the “unreal” situation as a serious reminder for the entire team, urging players to meticulously check their equipment for insects or dangerous wildlife before every practice.

The cottonmouth, also called the water moccasin, is a large, venomous pit viper native to the southeastern United States. Known for the stark white interior of its mouth displayed when threatened, it inhabits wetlands, swamps, and slow-moving bodies of water.

According to Google:

Yes, a person can survive a cottonmouth snake bite. Deaths from cottonmouth (water moccasin) bites are extremely rare in the United States, especially when the victim gets prompt medical treatment and antivenom.

Risks and Symptoms

Venom type: Their venom is hemotoxic, meaning it breaks down tissue and can affect blood clotting.
Common signs: Severe pain, swelling, bruising, and nausea.
Complications: Without proper care, a bite can cause lasting tissue damage or permanent injury to the affected limb.

What to Do

Get help: Call emergency services immediately to get to a hospital.
Stay still: Keep the person calm and keep the bitten area level with or slightly below the heart.

What to avoid

Do not cut the wound, try to suck out the venom, or use a tourniquet.

Luckily, this young man in Arkansas didn’t have to worry about what to do in the event of a cottonmouth bite.