A 5-year-old Texas boy was bitten by a venomous copperhead snake that had been hiding in leaves close to his household dwelling.

The boy, Daniel, by accident grabbed the snake whereas choosing up leaves together with his uncle on June 1, the Fort Price Star-Telegram reported. The snake lunged on the boy, inflicting a venomous chunk.

Copperhead
A inventory picture exhibits a copperhead snake. The snake had been hiding in leaves when it bit the boy. Mark Kostich/Getty

Daniel's uncle killed the snake utilizing a pair of gardening shears earlier than speeding him to the hospital, the information outlet reported.

Brandy Smith, Daniel's aunt, rushed to the hospital to fulfill the pair.

Smith had "by no means been so scared" in her life, she mentioned on a Fb publish.

"We acquired to the ER extraordinarily fast and we're blessed to search out out Dr. Spencer Greene was on-site to deal with him," Smith mentioned in a Fb publish. "Dr. G is among the prime toxicologist within the nation. Please preserve my little man in your prayers as he continues to heal."

Daniel was handled with six bottles of antivenom.

In pictures shared to Fb, Daniel might be seen hooked as much as an IV after being handled with antivenom. An image exhibits his hand swelled with purple bruises.

"His vary of movement and labs are good so we get to go dwelling later... I've really by no means been so scared in my life. I'm so grateful for Dr G, the nurses at KW and all of the prayers we have acquired," Smith mentioned on Fb.

Smith mentioned that the toxicologist educated them on snakes and venomous bites.

Copperhead snakes are a sort of pit viper, native to japanese North America. They chunk extra folks than some other snake discovered within the U.S. although their venom is comparatively delicate.

They're one of the vital generally seen snakes in North America, and are the more than likely to bites. Bites sometimes flip purple and black because the venom spreads.

Fatalities are uncommon, however bites from a copperhead should nonetheless be handled instantly. Kids might be extra adversely affected from the bites.

Snake season is at present in full swing throughout the U.S. Because the climate warms, snakes change into extra lively and are available out of hiding, that means interactions are extra widespread.

It's not the one chunk to happen in latest days.

Final week, a 3-year-old woman was bitten twice by a copperhead snake whereas strolling again to her dwelling in Tennessee.

The kid had been carrying sandals whereas strolling by means of freshly minimize grass on the time—she was bitten twice on the foot after which rushed to hospital.

Copperheads like wooded areas, mountains, and thickets, nonetheless they will also be present in suburban areas when in quest of shelter.