A 60-year-old farmer, identified only as Zhang, had a frightening experience after being bitten by a pit viper known locally as the “five-step snake.”

Instead of waiting to see what would happen, Zhang made a drastic decision. He amputated his own finger, believing that removing the bitten part would prevent the venom from spreading through his body.

After wrapping the wound, Zhang traveled about 80 kilometers to a hospital in Hangzhou to receive medical treatment.

However, doctors at the hospital told him that the amputation had not been necessary.

Dr. Yuan Chengda explained, “It’s not necessary at all. The five-step snake is not that toxic.”