Snake-chasing social media star hospitalized after being bitten by venomous rattlesnake
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David Orin, 25, filmed the heart-stopping moments after the attack leaving followers stunned. A social media wildlife star has been hospitalized after being bitten by a venomous rattlesnake in Florida. David Orin, 25, set out on December 18 on Florida’s Shired Island in Dixie County to go “herping” – the act of searching for reptiles – when he was savagely bitten by a four-foot Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, according to the influencer.
![[The venomous rattlesnake sunk its teeth into Orin’s leg leaving it swollen and bruised (pictured)]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/02/10/Screenshot-2025-01-02-at-10.05.03.jpg)
The young star – who is followed by 1.4 million on Instagram and over 2.3 million on TikTok – captured the heart-stopping moments after the attack on video and gave his followers a glimpse of the deadly bite while his three friends stood next to him in shock.
![[The star’s wife, Emma Rynear, has frequently posted updates on his recovery from the attack – he heads into his 15th day of hospitalization]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/02/09/snakes.jpg)
“Welp, I’m cooked. Alright, that right there is a fantastic Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake that I just got bit in the leg by because I didn’t notice him when I was peeling back bark. Orin calmly told his stunned friends: “Alright, I’m about to lose my ability to walk so let’s get back to the car.”.
The 25-year-old’s health rapidly began to decline as he described his body plunging into what he believed was an anaphylactic shock which left him feeling paralyzed from head to toe. Orin spoke of how his shin – the site where the snake sunk its teeth – “felt like it was going to explode” as the venom began to take hold.
