A herpetologist says a Louisiana man who claims to have been bitten by a snake hiding in a wreath hanging on his door may be telling the truth.

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David Steen, a Florida graduate student and author of a blog on reptiles, told The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune he thinks the snake that bit -- or did not bite -- Marc Jones of St. Tammany Parish could have been a Texas rat snake. The snakes, despite their name, also live in Louisiana.

Steen said Texas rat snakes are excellent climbers, famed for their ability to climb vertical brick walls looking for food. One could have gotten to the wreath.

Jones says he was bitten on the head in October when he opened the door for a parcel delivery. The story has gone viral online.

"In contrast to many 'unbelievable' stories I receive via e-mail, I actually believe this one," Steen said.