“Is She Still Alive?”: Cobra Strikes Woman’s Leg; Snake Experts Share Important Safety Lesson
- A shocking video shared online captured a highly venomous snouted cobra (wipneuskobra) delivering a test bite to a woman handler's bare leg during a demonstration
- The snake handlers warned that snouted cobras found across the North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng eat anything and will bite to investigate, proving standing still can backfire
- Viewers rushed to the comments section to express concern for the woman's life and debate snake-handling safety protocols
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Source: Getty Images
A terrifying clip showing a massive snouted cobra striking a woman on her bare leg has gripped South African social media users. The harrowing incident prompted wildlife handlers to issue an urgent warning about amateur handlers risking lives for internet attention and the common myths surrounding snake encounters.
Snouted cobra bites handler during demonstration
The nerve-wracking video was shared on Facebook by popular page Slangboere on 24 October 2026. In the footage, a woman holding a snake hook stands completely motionless as a large snouted cobra (wipneuskobra) glides across her shoes before rearing up and biting into the back of her lower leg.
Slangboere explained that snouted cobras—commonly distributed across the North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Gauteng—are indiscriminate eaters prone to "test biting" or "investigative biting". Because these cobras bite unfamiliar objects simply to determine if they are edible, relying on the age-old advice of freezing on the spot can have disastrous consequences.
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The page also delivered a sharp critique of the demonstration, revealing that the individuals involved lacked proper training:
"Remember snake people, not everyone who works with snakes is an expert; many do it for attention and ego. They may look smart, but they pull the wool over your eyes."
Watch the Facebook reel below:
Viewers react with shock and concern
The terrifying encounter quickly racked up views, with many South Africans expressing horror over the bite and questioning why the handler was not wearing snake gaiters or protective boots.
Facebook user Sedden David commented:
"Snouted cobra! They will bite anything and eat whatever they can find."
Top fan Simonita Solomon weighed in on the incident:
"They thought it was a dry, but unfortunately it was not, but she was treated; she was fine."
A distressed Hettie Lourens asked:
"Is she still alive?"
Judy Steyn shared her frustration over the lack of protection:
"No man, it's this snake trap, not worth the money or to protect."
Jannie Kidson questioned the response:
"Why wasn't she treated immediately?"
Victor Nicolas Speelman shared:
"I'm not going to be so dumb just to put on a show. You don't play with a cobra. A snake isn't beautiful. It can never be a cap, and don't think you impress me, because my children may think it's cool and become pathetic. Just tell me."
3 Briefly News articles about snakes
- Residents and experts were left alarmed after a highly venomous Western diamondback rattlesnake, native to the USA and Mexico, was captured roaming in a Secunda neighbourhood where local hospitals lack antivenom to treat its bite.
- A local snake handler showed a man calmly holding three mole snakes at once without any fear or protective gear, shocking many social media users.
- Slangboere shared a video showing a large serpent coiled inside a residential toilet bowl before it slithered down the drainpipes, terrifying social media users by confirming their worst fears.
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Source: Briefly News
