Nicki Minaj back-up dancer bitten by snake during VMAs rehearsal

While rehearsing for the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, a backup dancer for Nicki Minaj was bitten by a large snake.

The incident occurred during a rehearsal for a performance of Minaj’s new single, “Anaconda.”

According to TV Guide, the snake – a nonvenomous boa constrictor named Rocky, who has been in the entertainment industry for more than 15 years – bit the dancer on the inside of her arm. The dancer was rushed to the hospital to treat her wounds.

According to the Star, the snake even worked with the dancer before with no problems, and it is not currently known what provoked the animal to strike.

Viacom Media Networks’ director of production Safety, Chris Velvin, told MTV that, “It is in no way life-threatening, but scary. We wanted her to start getting treatment as soon as possible.”

A boa constrictor’s bite is not venomous, but transmits bacteria that can lead to infection.

TV Guide notes that the snake’s handler insists that the reptile has never bitten anyone before, but it will still be replaced by a different snake at the awards show.

The VMAs will be broadcast tonight on MTV at 9 p.m. EST.

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