Mum’s warning after teen’s stupid mistake with deadly snake

A terrified mum has taken to social media to share her daughter’s self proclaimed “stupid” and potentially deadly snake mistake.

A terrified US mum has taken to social media to share her daughter’s self proclaimed “stupid” and potentially deadly mistake to ensures others don’t do the same thing.

Ashley Spain said her teenage daughter was recently walking near a beach in Virginia when she spotted what she thought what was a harmless Garter snake on the footpath.

“What she picked up was actually a juvenile Copperhead,” she wrote.

The North American Copperhead is a venomous species found in swampy, rocky and wooden regions of the eastern and central United States.

A photo shows Ms Spain’s daughter blissfully cradling the deadly snake.

The young woman was pictured in pain at the hospital with the bite marks on display. Picture: Facebook /Ashley Spain.

Just moments after the image was taken the snake struck causing her arm to balloon.

The teen was taken to hospital where she was given anti-venom within an hour of the bite, her mother said.

Ms Spain warned that while nature is “beautiful” it can be “dangerous”.

“She’s learning a very hard lesson on when to just leave things as they are. Don’t your kids be like mine,” she said.

Images of the young woman in hospital and in pain accompany the post along with a close-up view of bite marks left by the snake’s fangs on her swollen wrist.

Without medical assistance Coppenhead snake bites can be fatal. Picture: Facebook/ Ashley Spain

An updated post says the young women has since returned home from the hospital but is still in some pain.

“She appreciates all of the kind words and thoughts,” Ms Spain said in an updated post. “We hope this message reaches those around our area to keep other children, teens and young adults safe. If you are unsure, leave it be.”

Without medical assistance Copperhead snake bites can be fatal.

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