Fla. mailman bitten by snake during his rounds

updated 6:04 p.m. ET Oct. 11, 2008

TAMPA, Fla. - Forget rain, sleet or snow. The bite of a poisonous snake wasn't enough to keep Florida mail carrier Efraim Arango from his appointed rounds Friday.

The 66-year-old was bitten as he put mail inside a mailbox. He told authorities that he shook his arm and thwacked the snake against his car door to break its grip.

Arango continued to deliver mail for 30 more minutes before getting help.

Authorities said Arango identified the snake that bit him, and it was probably an eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

He was treated at a Tampa hospital.

More from msnbc.com Elkhart Project: The fireworks show must go on Reservists come marching home from Iraq — to no job What was Jackson's doctor's name? Take our quiz ‘Unrecovery’: Jobless consumers hold back economy  Cosmic Log: New moon vistas revealed   Slideshow: Statue of Liberty, then and now

MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS

Weird news Section Front

Cop nabs robber minutes after graduating Cabbie sprays deodorant to repel attacker Students get X-rated version of class DVD Cops: Teens mistake sex screams for assault Bigfoot? Nope, just a big hoax in Conn. Video shows police chief, cop kissing Mont. judge rules on case — 24 years later Son of 'master counterfeiter' arrested Police: Gas station robbers run out of gas Butter statue of Jackson? Fair plans one Weird news Section Front   Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: