SOUTH HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Aug. 22 (UPI) -- A dangerous import from Africa, an eastern green mamba snake, is slithering somewhere in South Florida.
A Comcast employee learned about the snake the hard way Thursday afternoon when he surprised it as he installed cable underground at a South Hollywood apartment complex, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. The toxic venom temporarily paralyzed his right side, but he was treated with antivenin at Memorial Regional Hospital and was expected to be discharged Saturday.
A search of the area found no sign of the snake.
Capt. Ernie Jillson of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Venom Response Unit warned area residents against trying to catch the reptile if they spot it.
"Leave it up to the professionals," he said.
The eastern green is considered less dangerous than its cousin, the black mamba. It is still a formidable snake, growing more than 7 feet long.
Officials say all the licensed green mambas in South Florida have been accounted for. They believe the missing mamba was an illegal pet and its owner, if found, could face a misdemeanor charge.
