A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Naja kaouthia
A snake charmer's cobra
urban
I spotted this snake charmer along the Ghats in Varanasi. I really wanted to see a snake charmer while in India and Varanasi was the only place I saw this. I have heard that snake charmers de fang their snakes so they can't bite. After taking a few photos, this charmer insisted I hold the cobra. I resisted but then he just put it around my neck and gave me a red sand boa to hold in my hand. I wasn't scared but it was more of an experience than I expected.
Spotted on Dec 27, 2007
Submitted on Jul 8, 2011
7 Comments
I see what you mean. You're right.
Dan we never see closed mouth free snake, check all wild snakes must open mouths when they have close encounter.
I totally agree Ashish. This was just something I had to see while in India. Thankfully I did only see it once while traveling around the country for 4 months.
HemantKumar, I think you are right. I was trying to find information on juvenile cobras to see if they were this color. I was just going by what the charmer said. Thanks, I will update this.
Ashish, I don't think it's mouth was sewed but you might be right. I do think it was defanged.
I hate such people try to make money by harming and possess captivated animals ( such removing teeth and sew jaw of Cobras) and innocent snakes are easy hunt for them from rural area.
nice but 3rd pic looks like "red send boa"
Must be Cobra's moth sewed otherwise it won't let you go easily..!!