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Spring Hill man bit by coral snake after shooing kids away

In print: Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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SPRING HILL

man bit by snake after shooing kids away from it

Jonathan Elder was shooing his kids away from a snake they were playing with in the yard of their home in the 6300 block of Kimball Court Sunday morning when the Southern coral snake bit him twice, authorities said. He was taken to Spring Hill Regional Hospital after experiencing breathing problems. His condition was "severe," according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office. The snake was about 32 inches long, said Jim Mendenhall, a local snake handler from Squamata Reptiles. "A bite like that is pretty serious from one of those guys," said Mendenhall, who took possession of the snake at the hospital. "The venom from those things are 4 1/2 times more toxic than a king cobra." According to the incident report, Elder's wife, Angel, called him after she saw their kids playing with the snake in the yard. Elder drove his kids away from the snake, deputies said, and tried to remove the reptile from the yard with his hands.

Learn more about summer camp today

Parent orientation for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hernando County's summer camp is 6 p.m. today at the club, 5404 Applegate Drive. Camp will be from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, June 9 through Aug. 15. The cost is $60 per week, per child. There is a $5 discount for additional children, per household. A nonrefundable $25 registration fee per household and the first week of tuition are due with registration. Campers participate in vigorous physical activities daily and receive instruction in critical thinking, language arts, reading, science and social skills. For information, call 666-0068.

Correction

The name of the 16-year-old wheelchair tennis player who was featured on Friday's sports page is Brittany Barrett. Her last name was incorrect in the story.

Today's picks

Chinsegut Nature Center hosts Florida's Hummingbirds program: 7-8:30 p.m., 23212 Lake Lindsey Road, north of Brooksville. Free. Call to reserve a seat, 754-6722.

Hernando deaths

Barry, Donald Eugene

Friedrich, Richard Lee

Hawley, Edward W.

Hood, Leonore

Lulling, Marian G.

Rae, George F. McCall