Snakes are the subject of many myths, especially to do with religion in India. It is believed that some snakes are bad omens while others are worshiped. The Cobras have it the worst because there is just so much superstition surrounding them. The myths about Cobras are so absurd that they make you question basic common sense. Some examples:
- Cobras take revenge on people who have seen them so they must be killed on sight.
- Cobras can hypnotize humans and animals with their eyes.
It is clear that such feats are impossible, even by an animal that is given so much cultural importance. Nonetheless, that doesn't stop certain people from exploiting the common man's disillusionment about snakes.
The first thing that comes to mind is the notorious Snake Charmer.
SNAKE CHARMERS
Any stereotypical portrayal of an Indian marketplace is incomplete without the infamous Snake Charmer and his "deadly" cobra. The masses are enthralled by the charmer's ability to put a dangerous and venomous animal into a trance with exotic music. If they knew the truth everyone would see Snake Charmers for the scumbags they are. Here is the truth:
- The cobras can't hear the Snake Charmer's music. They follow the movement of the flute and react to the vibrations created by the charmer tapping the floor.
- The cobras are about as dangerous as a newborn bunny rabbit. The charmers extract the venom (which they sell at high prices), remove the fangs (usually with regular blades or knives which cause a lot of pain and damage to the snake), and sew the mouth shut (with regular needles and string or wire).
- The cobras which they have are unable to get nutrition or medical aid so their lives are on a clock. The cobras usually die (due to mouth rot or starvation) agonizing deaths within 6 months of their procurement by the charmer. This happens because of infection in their mouths after the defanging and sewing process, after which they are fed milk (also another myth! SNAKES DON'T DRINK MILK!!) through a small gap left in the mouth.
The next question you may ask is- How do the snake charmers get their snakes if they need to replace them every 6 months? Who is providing them with an unlimited supply of snakes to sustain their cruel way of life?
The answer is SNAKE CATCHERS.
SNAKE CATCHERS
Yes. The neighborhood "hero" who comes to the "rescue" every time a snake is spotted in an urban area is the culprit. When asked what they are going to do with the snake after it is caught, the usual reply is "I will leave it in forest." Odds are he is not going to do that.
Snake catchers are often guilty of the following:
- They sell cobras to snake charmers.
- They are involved illegally in the venom trade.
- They collect several snakes in their own houses. (in violation of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 stating that no person can confine a wild animal without a permit)
- the most horrifying one- They sell the snakes to skin traders who make snakeskin bags and shoes out of the snakes.
RELOCATION
Not all snake catchers are like this. Many actually release the snakes in forests. This, however, is not the solution either. The snakes released in unfamiliar areas often try to get back to their home range and are killed in the process (by vehicles, humans or other animals). They come in conflict with the local wildlife of the area where they are released and this is a huge problem as snakes are highly territorial.
Releasing a snake in some random habitat is like dropping a regular person in the middle of war-torn Afghanistan and asking them to survive.
The solution to the human-snake conflict is to live and let live. Humans and snakes can live side by side without conflict if a few precautions are taken. The truth is that snakes are very afraid of us and will avoid a confrontation if they can.
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