“Tried To Give Me Kisses”: Close Up of “Flirty” Snake in Captivity at SA Sanctuary Goes Viral

• A South African content creator shared a viral video of their pet copperhead snake that kept flicking its tongue out
• The footage was filmed at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape
• Reddit users were fascinated by the beautiful snake's markings and colours, though some questioned how a copperhead ended up in South Africa

A mesmerising close-up video of a "flirty" snake in captivity has captured the hearts of animal lovers across social media.

South African Reddit user @fire360dude shared the footage on Reddit's @r/snakes page in May, with the caption:

"This snake was a flirt. Tried to give me kisses. 😘 South Africa."

The video shows an eastern copperhead snake staring directly at the camera and constantly flicking its tongue out in what fire360dude playfully describes as attempts to give kisses. As the camera moves up and down, the snake continues its tongue-flicking behaviour, creating an almost hypnotic effect that has captivated viewers. The post quickly went viral, receiving over 1,200 reactions and 58 comments from fascinated snake enthusiasts.

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The footage was captured at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay, where various snake species are kept for educational and conservation purposes. Keeping venomous snakes in South Africa requires proper permits and facilities, as these creatures pose significant risks if not handled by trained professionals.

Reddit users amazed by the snake

The video sparked fascinating discussions among Reddit users:

@arapaima123 identified:

"Looks like a copperhead? Venemous!"

@muted_intentions gushed:

"That snake is absolutely beautiful."

@darth_dork questioned:

"Copperheads in South Africa?"

@fire360dude clarified:

"It's in captivity."

@ChungBoyJr asked:

"Where in SA bru? Lol!"

@fire360dude responded:

"Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary, Plettenberg bay."

@DreamOfDays commented:

"That is one FAAAAAAAAAAAT snake."

Beautiful but deadly copperhead

According to Wikipedia, the eastern copperhead is a venomous pit viper native to eastern North America, known for its distinctive hourglass-shaped markings and reddish-brown colouring. These snakes typically grow to 50-95cm in length and are considered ambush predators that wait for suitable prey to arrive. Despite being venomous, copperheads are generally not aggressive and rarely deliver fatal bites to humans.

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The species is known for its excellent camouflage abilities, often "freezing" instead of fleeing when threatened. Their venom contains proteins that have shown potential medicinal value, including compounds that may help halt cancer cell growth in laboratory studies. But, any bite from a venomous snake requires immediate medical attention.

Watch the video here.

Other stories about animals in South Africa

• Briefly News recently reported on a KwaZulu-Natal monkey that invaded a student's residence room, but the dramatic removal attempt involving thrown shoes had an unexpected outcome.
• A massive African python shocked onlookers as it climbed a dry tree in the Western Cape, though the professional snake catcher's reaction to its enormous size left viewers speechless.
• An indoor lion trying to open a door after hearing music had South Africans deeply concerned, but the reason behind the big cat's captive situation sparked heated debate.

Source: Briefly News