Maumelle Player Practiced Hour with Venomous Snake in Helmet

During a recent football practice, a Maumelle High School player experienced a shocking discovery: a two-foot-long venomous cottonmouth snake hidden inside his helmet. He had been wearing the helmet for an hour before sensing movement beneath the padding. The player immediately alerted a coach, who, upon inspection, confirmed the unsettling presence. Animal Services were called to the scene.

Officials identified the snake as a cottonmouth, a venomous species native to Arkansas. This incident marked a first for Animal Services Director Chris Davis, who noted he had never before found a snake inside a football helmet. The cottonmouth is considered the second most venomous snake in Arkansas. The snake was safely captured and relocated by Animal Services, ensuring the player and team were unharmed.