JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Two young children are being treated at Wolfson Children's hospital after being bitten by two snakes Wednesday afternoon.
The victims are Shana Mathis, 4, and Luke McCauley, 2. They are cousins. The two are listed in fair condition. Shana was bitten on her ankle, and Luke was bitten on his calf.
They were bitten in the backyard of a relative's home.
The father of one of the children killed the two snakes and put them in a bag. The snakes were then taken to Shands Jacksonville.
The children were first taken to Shands Jacksonville Hospital, but later transferred to Wolfson Children's Hospital.
Doctors believe the snakes were water moccasins. Authorities in Nassau County initially thought a rattlesnake bit the children.
The children received anti-venom therapy.
Nassau County issued a snake warning shortly after Hurricane Frances moved through the area, because of rain, and then flooding.
Fire Officials in Nassau County are asking residents to leave the snakes alone and not bring them to fire stations.
Wednesday night, a family friend was outside the home where the incident happened sprinkling moth balls. Gerry Haliburt hopes it will help. "You hope the kids will be alright."
"Due to increase flooding snakes and natural wild animals are trying to find higher and dryer ground," said Stephen Johnson with Nassau County Fire & Rescue.
The children live in a home near the St. Marys River which has seen recent flooding.
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