Snake-Keeper, 21, Dies 'Within Minutes' After Being Bitten By Venemous Pet Cobra

A man who kept exotic snakes was killed after being bitten by one of his most treasured pets - a King Cobra.

The victim, identified only as a 21-year-old man called Vladimir, died within minutes after he was bitten by the fearsome snake at his apartment in the city of Tolyatti, in south-central Russia’s Samara Oblast region.

His girlfriend, called Anna, was with him in the flat at the time at the lethal bite.

She told police that he was feeding the King Cobra when it suddenly struck him. Its venom is considered to be among the most powerful of all poisonous snakes - causing Vladimir to died in his girlfriend’s arm in minutes.

She immediately called an ambulance but there was nothing that medics could do for him when they arrived.

‘Vladimir was not afraid of his poisonous serpents and liked playing with them’, Anna said.

‘His collection of snakes included a green mamba, a red spitting cobra and the King Cobra, which killed him. He had only had the snake for a short time.’

Vladimir only started collecting snakes two years ago and his social media profile was filled with pictures of them.

And while it’s unclear what will happen to the snakes, Anna has said that she does not want to take care of them.

But she will have no trouble selling off the King Cobra, which is highly valued among collectors around the world.

The snake - Ophiohagus hannah- is predominantly found in forests from India through to Southeast Asia, and is the world’s longest venomous snake, with a length up to 18.5 to 18.8 feet.

It is considered to be highly dangerous snake, although it typically avoids confrontation with humans if possible.