For as much as he seemed to know about the Gaboon Viper, it sure sounds a bit strange for him to put his face anywhere near it. I'm thinking maybe it was an accidental thing, but either way, the guy's an idiot. He should've been more careful and used common sense around it.

Even someone who knows NOTHING about a snake usually keeps their distance until someone knowledgeable proves otherwise. Hopefully the snake gets found though, poor thing can't be too happy out in the cold