Imagine even seeing roaches (especially those Florida Palmetto’s), let alone eating dozens of them.
However, this was the case at a reptile store in Deerfield Beach on Friday after the store had a contest to win an Ivory Ball python. According to an online forum, whoever could eat the most bugs in four minutes without vomiting would win.
Sadly for one contestant, who also happened to be the winner, it ended in his death.
Reports show that Edward Archbold was one of nearly 30 participating in the bug eating contest to win the snake at the Ben Siegel Reptile Store. After eating what witnesses say “dozens of roaches and worms,” he collapsed soon after and was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Ben Siegel, the owner of the reptile store, insisted it was not the bugs that killed him, telling the Miami Herald that people all around the world eat discoid roaches and that the ones used for the contest were domestically raised for exotic pet feed.
An autopsy is being performed. Results are expected within 1-2 weeks.
