Snakebites… It happens to the best of all snake handlers. Watch how living legend and world famous herpetologist Austin Stevens gets bitten by a venomous Egyptian Cobra.

With over 35 years of snake handling experience, this South-African “snakemaster” survived some nasty snakebites already…

• While in the army, Stevens got bitten by a puff adder, a highly venomous snake. He lay in a coma for five days. Doctors struggled for 3 months to save his hand from amputation.
  
  
• In 1986, near disaster struck again. After spending 97 days and nights in a tank with 36 of Africa’s most venomous and dangerous snakes, Stevens was bitten by a cobra. To many people’s amazement, he refused to leave the tank and was treated on the spot. Although he became very sick, Austin managed to stay inside the tank for another 10 days, totalling 107 days… still an unbeaten world record today.

Stevens’ pictures of venomous snakes have been awarded multiple times with numerous prestigious prizes.

When asked which animal he fears the most, Austin responded that the idea of swimming with a Great White Shark makes him a bit nervous. What a guy!


Austin Stevens gets bitten by an Egyptian Cobra


Austin Stevens plays with a giant 14 ft King Cobra