An Arkansas high school football player discovered a venomous snake in the helmet he was wearing during practice for almost an hour last week. The two-foot-long snake had found its way under the padding of the helmet, staying hidden until the student noticed an unusual movement in the head piece.

Maumelle High School Athletic Director Kirk Horton told NBC affiliate in Little Rock KARK that his athletic staff was stunned when one of their players brought in his helmet for inspection after warmups, finding a cottonmouth snake trapped inside.

The Maumelle Animal Services arrived to retrieve the venomous snake, placing it into a tote bag and relocating it to a nearby river. Animal Services Director Chris Davis told NBC News on Tuesday that officers initially received a report that the snake was a copperhead. But after they arrived, they determined it was actually a cottonmouth.

The cottonmouth snake is the second most venomous snake in Arkansas and tends to prefer dark enclosed spaces. The Maumelle Animal Shelter took to Facebook following the incident, writing, “Before putting on your helmet, shoes, gloves, or any outdoor gear, always give it a quick check first. It only takes a few seconds and could prevent a very scary encounter”

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.