Man, 72, in China cuts off cobra's head, but it still bites him 5 minutes later

A 72-year-old man in China almost died after he was apparently bitten by a cobra, whose head he had already cut off five minutes earlier.

The incident occurred in May 2026 and was reported by Global Times, a state-affiliated media outlet.

Fishing

Zhang, an angler, was fishing in a secluded riverside spot and was unaware he had wandered into cobra territory.

He then saw a venomous cobra.

Based on his outdoor experience, Zhang purportedly reasoned that if he retreated, he might be treated as provoking the animal.

He pulled out a digging shovel he carried and struck the cobra as it attacked, flinging it aside.

Zhang then continued to attack the snake and severed the cobra’s head.

Bitten

When Zhang reached down to pick up the cobra’s severed head five minutes after detaching it, it proceeded to bite him.

The detached head reportedly possessed enough muscle memory and survival instinct to sink its venomous fangs deep into Zhang’s hand.

According to Zhang, the bite felt "like an electric shock".

The cobra's head apparently refused to release its grip and continued clinging on to Zhang's hand.

Zhang eventually shook off the cobra’s head and rushed to a local hospital.

Symptoms

Zhang’s wound darkened and swelled.

Within less than 20 minutes, he apparently experienced chest tightness, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting.

Zhang was then transferred to another hospital in Zhejiang, China, after receiving preliminary emergency treatment.

Upon admission, he reportedly sustained severe swelling that ballooned his entire left arm, stretching from his thumb all the way to his shoulder.

The skin around the wound had also apparently turned black and necrotic, with was warm to the touch.

Zhang also exhibited systemic symptoms triggered by the cobra’s venom.

The doctors performed debridement surgery before the venom could cause irreversible tissue necrosis.

Two months after the treatment, Zhang's left hand was apparently saved.

Postoperative period

During the postoperative period, Zhang reportedly did not dare to move his hand due to the pain and dread.

He also apparently suffered three consecutive nights of nightmares about a headless snake pursuing him relentlessly.

"I will never act recklessly again. The price I paid is far too steep," Zhang reportedly said.

He has since made a full recovery and was discharged from the hospital.