AJO, AZ - MARCH 27: A rattlesnake tastes the air on the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Reserve on March 27, 2006 near Ajo, Arizona. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. (AP) — A Lake Elsinore man may have to lose is hand after he picked up a rattlesnake in order to take a selfie with it.

KCBS-TV reports that 36-year-old Alex Gomez snatched up the snake Monday at his family’s ranch. The snake bit his hand which swelled. His neighbor called 911 and he was transported to an area hospital.

Gomez’s mother says he is being treated with anti-venom, but that the skin on his hand is damaged and he may lose it.

California Poison Control reports dealing with 800 rattlesnake bites annually, with one to two cases being fatal. Gomez’s snapshot happened in peak rattlesnake bite season, which runs from April to October.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.