A Man Faces Snakes Like It's Nobody's Business

Holifil

01 Apr, 2025

You know that guy who seems born to handle snakes? Well, one dude recently left jaws dropping after showing off some serious bravery with a massive snake.
The viral post on X featured a fearless man interacting with his large snake in its enclosure. Talk about gutsy.
Internet users couldn’t get enough of the video showcasing this exotic wildlife enthusiast fearlessly facing the snake, sparking plenty of comments and shares.

Now, most people would panic—or, let's be honest, run screaming— if they came face-to-face with a snake. But this guy? Nope, he's not like most people. A video that went viral on social media recently showed just how comfortable this snake lover is around these slithering creatures. Instead of running, he walked right up to it, proving that he's got nerves of steel.

A man went viral after barely reacting to a snake bite in a video. Image: @therealtarzann Source: Getty Images

The video of the man handling the snake quickly racked up over 600,000 views. It wasn’t just the views that skyrocketed, though—hundreds of comments poured in from netizens around the world, including South Africans who couldn’t help but add their own hilarious takes to the mix. It’s clear that this video struck a chord with viewers everywhere.

When the Snake Strikes

In a video reshared by @RealXavier011 on X, we meet an adventurous man named @therealtarzan, also known as Mike Holston on Instagram. In the clip, Mike calmly approaches a snake that's stored in an enclosure. As the camera focuses on the action, the snake—a striking olive python—strikes at lightning speed, sinking its teeth into Mike’s forearm. Without missing a beat, the snake coils around his arm, leaving puncture wounds that Mike casually rinses off with water from a hose. For those who haven't seen it yet, you can watch the harrowing video here.

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Netizens React: "Is That a Black Mamba?"

Many viewers initially thought the snake was a black mamba, one of the most venomous snakes on the planet. But no, it was an olive python, a non-venomous species that can still pack a painful bite. Some South African commenters joked that they'd love to see what would happen if Mike encountered a black mamba. Others were simply amazed by his calm demeanor throughout the ordeal. According to Healthline, while olive pythons aren’t venomous, their bites can still cause infections and require medical attention.

It’s worth noting that Mike seems to genuinely enjoy these encounters. Maybe he’s just that fearless—or maybe he’s got a thing for adrenaline rushes. Whatever the case, his cool-headed response left many viewers in awe.

The snake that bit the man looks exactly like a confirmed olive python. Image: John Crux Photography / Getty Images / @therealtarzann / Instagram Source: UGC

@Mkj8042 said:

"Look at all the other drawers this guy has, I assume with snakes in too. He must get bitten a lot, so no wonder this one didn’t faze him. 😳"

@Onalenn57647715 commented:

"I want him to try a black mamba here in SA. I want to see something!"

@Crocodile_0999 added:

"For a second, I thought the snake was a black mamba."

@fadekeojora wondered:

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"How do you just let a snake casually bite you?"

@Ashabul_Jannaah admitted:

"This is so scary."

@UEdreez was horrified:

"This can never be me."

@Its_Slowlife remarked:

"The snake bit him, but I’m feeling the pain just by watching it. He’s enjoying the drink like nothing has happened."

@Interesting228 gushed:

"This dude is real-life Tarzan. He does some of the craziest stunts."

4 Notable Snakebite Incidents From Briefly News

A snake handler in the Western Cape had a close call while trying to remove a boomslang, a venomous viper. Talk about a heart-stopping moment.
One mother was thrown into a whirlwind of emotions after her teenage son was bitten by a puff adder he stumbled upon. Thankfully, everything turned out okay.
A Mpumalanga student dealt with the unthinkable when he was bitten by a deadly snake. The story touched the hearts of many South Africans.
Snake expert Rico Pentz tragically lost his life after a highly venomous snake got the better of him during a rescue mission. It’s a sobering reminder of the dangers involved in handling such creatures.