Survivor 49: How a Venomous Bite Changed Everything for the Kele Tribe

From teamwork to heartbreak — how one contestant’s brush with death reshaped the game.

By Entertainment Insider | October 9, 2025 — 7:15 PM

Jeff Probst Opens Up About Jake Latimer’s Life-Threatening Encounter

The drama on Survivor 49 just hit a terrifying new level. In the latest episode, what began as a normal day for the Kele tribe turned into one of the most frightening moments in the show’s history — when contestant Jake Latimer was bitten by a venomous black-and-white sea krait off the coast of Fiji.

Fans of the series have seen contestants face dehydration, hunger, and tropical infections before — but never something this dangerous. According to host Jeff Probst, the production crew was thrown into emergency mode when Jake was attacked by the highly venomous sea snake, a creature said to be 10 times deadlier than a rattlesnake.

The Bite That Stopped the Game

Although cameras didn’t capture the exact bite, Jake’s cry for help quickly alerted his tribemates Alex and Jeremiah. He discovered two puncture marks on his foot — a telltale sign of a snake bite. A producer immediately contacted the show’s medical team, sending photos back to base camp before Jake was rushed to the on-site medical unit.

For the first time, Survivor even showed part of the tribe’s official “safety guide” — a binder full of local wildlife warnings. Right at the top of the “avoid at all costs” list: the black-and-white banded sea snake.

Inside the Survivor Medical Emergency

At base camp, Jake was placed on a stretcher while medics assessed his condition. “I’ve got a kid coming,” Jake said repeatedly, his voice shaking. Fortunately, doctors determined that the bite was what’s known as a “dry bite” — meaning no venom had been injected.

“Production wanted fans to see exactly how seriously we take these incidents,” Jeff Probst explained later. “Jake was immediately treated, monitored, and stabilized.”

Even though Jake showed no symptoms, Dr. Barry, the show’s on-site physician, decided not to clear him to return to the game. Heartbroken but relieved, Jake left the island — and thankfully, he made it home in time for the birth of his son.

Tribes React and the Game Moves On

At the next immunity challenge, Jeff informed the remaining tribes — Hina and Uli — of Jake’s evacuation. “In all our years in Fiji, no one on our crew has ever known anyone bitten by a sea krait,” Jeff said, reassuring players that production divers and safety teams would remain in the water to protect them.

Ironically, the day’s challenge took place in the ocean. Despite emotional support from the other tribes, Kele once again finished last, sending them back to Tribal Council to vote out another member. It was a somber moment across Fiji — even the victors couldn’t bring themselves to celebrate.

Tribal Council: Betrayal and a Shocking Exit

Back at camp, Sophi devised a risky plan to turn on her ally Jeremiah while making Alex feel safe enough not to use his hidden immunity idol. But after secretly listening in on Alex and J’s late-night strategy session, she began to doubt her move.

During Tribal Council, Jeff Probst pointed out how the tribe seemed to be missing a strong leader — and a puzzle master. Both Sophi and Jeremiah pledged loyalty to Alex, while Alex admitted he was searching for a “long-term partner” to navigate the game with.

Ultimately, Alex played his idol — unnecessarily. Sophi betrayed Jeremiah, casting the deciding vote that sent him home as the fourth person eliminated from Survivor 49.

Final Thoughts

This episode will undoubtedly go down as one of Survivor’s most unforgettable installments. Between a real-world brush with death and a ruthless Tribal Council blindside, Episode 3 of Survivor 49 reminded fans that in Fiji, danger — both natural and strategic — is always lurking.

Next week’s episode promises to dig deeper into Kele’s fractured tribe as they recover from back-to-back losses — and from the emotional toll of losing Jake.

Survivor 49 airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on CBS and streams the next day on Paramount+.