“Never Speak too Soon” is an age-old adage that men like influencer Jeff Leibowitz would do well to consider. Leibowitz has often posted reels on social media handling venomous snakes with his bare hands, bragging he wasn’t afraid of being bitten and how antivenom was for p******s. Well, it seems Leibowitz spoke too soon because it’s precisely what he was administered in the ICU after being bitten by a pet snake he ironically called “My Sweet Girl.”
My Sweet Girl Not as Sweet
On September 5th, Jeff Leibowitz, who has 16,000 followers on Instagram, showed off how well he knew snakes in one of his videos. The reptile he was handling wasn’t just an ordinary venomous snake but an inland taipan, one of the world’s most dangerous reptiles. He suggested how applying pressure to the snake’s body would prevent it from biting him, but before he could go further, the taipan freed itself from his grasp and sunk her fangs into his arm.
The Week Before
A week before the incident, Leibowitz shared a video holding his eastern diamondback rattlesnake, named Shaky, dangerously close to his face, calling it “cuddly.” In another video, he stroked the head of his green mamba, Asparagus, a highly venomous snake whose bite could be fatal in under 30 minutes.
Medical Emergency and an Irony
Leibowitz was rushed to Mcleod Hospital in South Carolina, where a shortage of antivenom complicated his treatment. Emergency doses were flown in from Florida even as he was fighting for his life in intensive care, facing potential long-term organ damage. It was ironic how the reptile handler who felt he never needed antivenom needed it more than ever.
Leibowitz was in a severe condition, on a ventilator and on dialysis as his kidneys had failed. What made matters worse was the delay in procuring antivenom, causing him excessive bleeding.
Seizure of His Snakes
Following the bite, authorities seized 14 of his deadly reptiles due to health and safety concerns. These included rattlesnakes, vipers, cobras, a green mamba, a death adder and an inland taipan. The reptiles were found living in substandard conditions where officers described the house as full of feces, urine, and rotting meat. The reptiles were all euthanized since no zoos or reptile houses were willing to take them in on grounds of disease and infection.
This was perhaps the most unfortunate development; after all, the reptiles behaved as expected. The foolish actions of an ill-informed human being led to the unnecessary death of 14 reptiles.
The Inland Taipan
The Inland Taipan, also known as the “fierce snake,” is native to the semi-arid regions of central Australia. It primarily inhabits remote, rocky areas and clay plains. Known for having the most potent venom of any snake, its bite can deliver enough toxins to kill up to 100 humans, though it is typically reclusive and avoids human contact. Despite its lethal venom, there are few recorded human fatalities due to its shy nature and remote habitat.
Leibowitz’s near-fatal experience serves as a grim reminder of the risks involved in free-handling dangerous animals, sparking renewed debates about handling venomous species.
