The Texas Snake Man, Jackie Bibby, proved he is apparently tougher than any rattlesnake that ever had the nerve to bite him. Bibby was recently released from the hospital and is already back at work after a rattlesnake bite late last week.
Bibby was bitten around 3:30 PM Friday as he prepared for the Rattlesnake Roundup in Brownwood.
Brownwood News checked up on Bibby Tuesday and found that not only was he out of the hospital, but he was back on the road working his day job as a certified outreach specialist with Summer Sky, a treatment center in Stephenville. Bibby was released around noon on Monday.
According to Bibby, he was bitten as he was buying some snakes in preparation for the Lone Star Fair and Rattlesnake Roundup in Brownwood on Friday. He said that he had a snake in a pair of tongs and as he lifted it to weigh it, the snake reached out and bit him on the stomach.
“I’ve never had one bite me in the stomach before and really never heard of anyone getting bit in the stomach,” said Bibby.
He explained that only one fang penetrated his skin, but that it was a medium envenomation and he suffered some “pretty good swelling and pain.”
“They didn’t have to do any cutting this time, just treatment with anti-venom,” explained Bibby.
Bibby said that this was his 12th serious bite and that has seen many friends who were bitten before, so he knew what to expect and that he would survive the bite. He chose to finish some things before he got into his trademark hearse and drove himself to the hospital with his dad accompanying him on Friday. Knowing what to expect and the progression of a rattlesnake bite, Bibby was able to stay calm, finish his business and make the trip to the hospital from his hometown of Rising Star.
“I knew I was ok and that I was going to be hurting but I had to finish a couple of things,” Bibby stated. “I was buying some snakes and I had to go to the bank to pay the people. I took care of my business and then drove to the hospital.”
Bibby stated it took about 45 minutes to an hour to get to the hospital after the bite, but that he remained calm, and as he walked into the emergency room at Brownwood Regional Medical Center he told the nurses, “I’ve been bit again.”
When asked what his family thought about getting back to work so quickly, Bibby stated that they and everyone else usually thinks he gets up and around too fast.
“Virtually everyone tells me I get back to it too soon and a lot of people give advice that I don’t always follow,” said Bibby with a laugh. “I’m pretty much going to travel to the beat of my own drum.”
In missing the roundup in Brownwood, Bibby stated it was disappointing, but that he knows things happen that you just cannot control and you have to make the best of a situation.
“I hated it, but it was a situation that was out of my control. I’m in recovery as a recovering alcoholic, and I follow a program that teaches me that there’s things I can control and things I can’t. In situations I can’t control, I pray about it and give it to God,” said Bibby. “I’m so blessed. I’m so busy working with the treatment program and traveling. God has really blessed me.”
Bibby stated that he has even taken to the radio and has a morning show on 89.7 KEQX of Dublin, called “Reach for Recovery,” that gives him a chance to share information about how to get treatment and about interventions. The show plays on Mondays at 10:05 AM.
Bibby said he will continue as always traveling and doing what he loves – snake handling.
“I’m anxious to get back to doing what I love,” he said. “I have another roundup this weekend in Big Spring.”
When asked if there is anything that can stop him from doing the rattlesnake roundups Bibby stated, “There’s nothing I’ve found that would stop me.”
Bibby’s fans don’t have to worry about him retiring. He said he plans to continue doing what he loves.
“God has given me the opportunity to do fun and exciting things. I may be crippled up and have scars all over, I don’t walk too well, but I’m having the time of my life,” he said.
Pictured above is Bibby with friend Paul Coghlan beside his hearse at a fundraiser Jaycees and friends hosted for him in November.
