King cobra bites wildlife center volunteer

HOMESTEAD, Fla., Oct. 27 (UPI) -- A Florida man remained hospitalized in serious condition Monday after being bitten on his forearm by a 13-foot king cobra.

Miami-Dade authorities say the man was working as a volunteer at the Everglades Outpost wildlife center in Homestead when the snake bit him while he was cleaning out its cage, the Miami Herald reports.

The man, in his 50s, was given more than 20 vials of anti-venom Sunday afternoon before being taken to Homestead Hospital.

Fire rescue chief Al Cruz says the king cobra can "inject a martini glass full of venom" with just one bite, causing internal bleeding and respiratory failure.

Cruz said it has been about 15 years since they treated a king cobra bite in Florida.

King cobras, which can grow as long as 18 feet, are rare in the state.