Exotic Animal Incident Report

Reported: Jun 06, 1999
Location: New Castle County, Delaware

Animal: Rattlesnake
Animal Disposition: unknown

Facility Type: Exotic Pet
Facility Name: unknown

Category: Escape of animal, Attack resulting in human death
Species: Reptile

Summary: A 45-year-old man was found dead in his apartment from an apparent rattlesnake bite from one of his 15 “pet” snakes. The man was found 10 feet from an open, empty snake tank. The man had been feeding the animal when he was bitten. Animal Control officers removed from the man’s apartment 8 rattlesnakes, 2 king cobras, 2 corn snakes, a desert snake, and two others that were not identified.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer