Nick the Herpetologist explains the controversy over the "cobra escapes in car" video: is it real or staged content? He reveals the clip was recorded two years ago and asks, "Would you risk your life?"
On 24 March 2026, the Facebook pageNick wildlife, run by Mr. Nirut Chom-ngam or Nick the Herpetologist posted a clarification regarding the "cobra escapes in car" video, addressing whether it was real or content?
He stated that after posting the video of the snake escaping in the car, many different opinions appeared—some said AI-generated, others claimed it was content, and many netizens had questions. Numerous experts suggested alternative methods. He explained as follows.
1. The snake is tame and not aggressive.
Response: Watch the end of the clip when the snake is put into a sack to see if it’s really as tame as people think.
2. Why didn’t you stop the car? Why keep driving?
Response: If we were in the right lane, to move left we had to slowly wait for a gap in traffic before merging to park on the roadside. If we stopped immediately, the car would be stuck in the middle of the road. Also, imagine if the snake was on the steering wheel or foot area—any sudden movement might startle it and cause it to strike.
3. Why didn’t you catch the snake when it crawled onto your leg?
Response: Suppose you had to catch a snake on a friend’s leg—how would you do it without getting bitten? If the snake was on your leg, would you risk letting someone else catch it? There’s a 90% chance of being bitten in such a situation.
4. It’s all just content.
Response: No matter how much I explain, some people won’t change their minds. But think about it—would you create content involving a venomous snake on a driver’s leg while the car is moving? It’s uncontrollable both for the snake and the risk of a road accident.
In fact, this clip was taken two years ago during a real incident when I was collecting a cobra from a foundation in Ayutthaya Province to release it elsewhere. The snake escaped inside the car because it had been placed in a fertilizer sack that it managed to tear through.
At that time, I had to stay calm because the snake escaped while the car was still moving. One wrong move by Ton (the cameraman and driver) could have been dangerous. I grabbed my phone to record the event because there wasn’t much I could do otherwise, contrary to what many assume.
The snake’s behavior then was confused, not yet alarmed or aggressive. I had to ask Ton to slowly park the car with minimal movement, then get out to ensure everyone’s safety before dealing with the snake. For those who think the snake was tame, watch the end of the clip and ask yourself if you would risk your life for such content?
If anyone encounters a similar situation, watch the clip to see how it was handled. You can choose to trust someone with direct experience or online experts—whichever is more convenient.
Information from the Facebook pageNick wildlife