Cobra Wraps Itself Around 6-year-old's Neck for 2 Hours, Child Survives

A 6-year-old girl is currently recovering in a hospital after spending nearly two hours with a cobra wrapped around her neck, according to multiple reports. The snake reportedly also bit the girl on the arm as a snake handler helped remove the cobra from the girl's neck.

On Monday, a local news outlet uploaded a video of the traumatic incident to YouTube, where it has received over 21,000 views.

International Business Times reported Thursday the incident took place on September 12 in Maharashtra, India. The victim, Purvi Gadkari, was told to stay still to avoid provoking the snake. Somehow, she managed to remain motionless for nearly two hours until a snake charmer was summoned to help remove the cobra from Gadraki's neck.

Footage of the ordeal shared to YouTube by Indian news outlet Lokmat showed the cobra's hood fully spread behind her back. According to the San Diego Zoo, cobras expand their hoods when they feel threatened.

At the end of the two-hour period, International Business Times said that the girl moved, which prompted the cobra to bite her before slithering away. Times of India reported that the snake bit the girl's arm after the snake charmer approached to help remove the cobra.

Newsweek was not able to independently verify which account was true; however, the cobra did bite the girl, and she was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital.

If not treated, cobra bites can be fatal.

"Like coral snakes, cobras have potent neurotoxic venom, which acts on the nervous system," herpetologist Sara Viernum told Live Science.

"Symptoms from a neurotoxic cobra bite can include problems with vision, difficulty swallowing and speaking, skeletal muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, respiratory failure, vomiting, abdominal pain, necrosis, and anticoagulation," she continued.

According to Insider, Indian cobras kill around 10,000 people a year in India. When they feel attacked, the publication said they spit venom through their fangs. As a protective measure, snake charmers typically de-fang the cobras.

Of course, snake charming was banned in India in 1972 as part of a wildlife protection act, but snake charmers still work throughout the country, and they tend to work with Indian cobras. This is perhaps why a snake charmer would have been called to help Gadkari—they know how to handle the poisonous snakes.

Thankfully, Indian outlet NDTV reported on Wednesday that Gadkari was treated for the wound and is expected to make a full recovery. International Business Times said she should be on her way home soon.