Crazy People let baby near a venomous snake

[Lone Star]

Without going into alot of my family history, let's just suffice it to say that I used to work for a Zoologist that traveled the country putting on animal oriented programs to school kids.

Needless to say, when you work in that type of environment, you learn things...whether you really want to or not...lol

From what I was taught by this Zoologist, a snake is never completely 'venom free', even after being 'milked'.

Studies have proven that even when bitten by a venomous snake, there's no guarantee that you will be envenomed. The venom glands are controlled by muscles that contract, squeezing the venom glands and forcing the venom through ducts to the fangs.

Juvenile snakes have a habit of 'dumping' venom in a single strike, where the mature snakes have learned to more effectively 'control' the venom amounts per strike.

Keeping this in mind, I did some searching on the web to find any articles that would back this up (so I didnt sound like I was talking through my hat), and found the following link...

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Wildlife-2507/snake-venom.htm

[Chief1C]

In ancient mythology and religion in India, they respect and fear the Cobra. The practice of charming it is also mythical, as snakes can't hear anyway. They're just reacting to movement, I guess seeing a snake do that is entertaining. Certainly not a sport for amateurs.

They could remove the venom sac and glands, it's an option. However, that would prolly be a death sentence for the snake. Since the venom is not only used to subdue and kill prey, but break it down for digestion. I do NOT think that's okay. I wouldn't want to see someone killed by a snake, but, yanno.. It's not like they're walking in tall grass, and got bit by a scared and defensive snake. They're intimidating, dare I say playing with, and mentally torturing these snakes. An art or not, if they get harmed, it's their fault. Therefore, I don't think harming animals for the purpose of ones religion or culture is okay, I thought I'd get that out there.. I also don't believe in the harming of children via religious and cultural practices. An infant clearly cannot understand or elect to not practice such, therefore should not be subjected to it. But that's just my opinion, which isn't worth much.

[Lone Star]

In ancient mythology and religion in India, they respect and fear the Cobra. The practice of charming it is also mythical, as snakes can't hear anyway. They're just reacting to movement, I guess seeing a snake do that is entertaining. Certainly not a sport for amateurs.

They could remove the venom sac and glands, it's an option. However, that would prolly be a death sentence for the snake. Since the venom is not only used to subdue and kill prey, but break it down for digestion. I do NOT think that's okay. I wouldn't want to see someone killed by a snake, but, yanno.. It's not like they're walking in tall grass, and got bit by a scared and defensive snake. They're intimidating, dare I say playing with, and mentally torturing these snakes. An art or not, if they get harmed, it's their fault. Therefore, I don't think harming animals for the purpose of ones religion or culture is okay, I thought I'd get that out there.. I also don't believe in the harming of children via religious and cultural practices. An infant clearly cannot understand or elect to not practice such, therefore should not be subjected to it. But that's just my opinion, which isn't worth much.

Turning the snake into a 'venomiod' through 'surgical techniques' is pretty much a death sentence for the snake. Usually it's done with no anesthesia, improvised 'surgical tools' and rarely will the snake survive.

I don't agree with using children or any creature for 'religious purposes' either. It amazes me to see people destroy a living creature for doing what is in its nature to do (ie: defend themselves, even if it means the death of the human that provoked the attack).

[AnthonyM83]

In ancient mythology and religion in India, they respect and fear the Cobra. The practice of charming it is also mythical, as snakes can't hear anyway. They're just reacting to movement, I guess seeing a snake do that is entertaining. Certainly not a sport for amateurs.

I thought they were superbly adept at sensing vibrations...which I assume in conjunction with movement is what they might respond to?

[Chief1C]

They usually tap their feet, and the snake responds to that and the movement of the charmer. The flute noise seems to me, to be just for show.

I dunno.. I'm not an expert by any means, I just watch the history channel.. a lot.