Texas tip: when you decapitate a snake with a shovel, wait a while before picking up the head.
A snake's bite reflex can be triggered up to several hours after it has died. Ms Sutcliffe told KIII-TV her husband immediately began to have seizures.
He was airlifted from his home near Corpus Christi to hospital where he was treated with the anti-venom CroFab.
More than a week after the incident, the man is reportedly in stable condition, with some weakened kidney function.