Worshiping snakes is practising cruelty

“Snakes do not drink milk and are actually allergic to it. All snakes are carnivores feeding only on live rats, mice, frogs; and are also biological pest controllers,” reads a WWF poster, which informs the public about the myths and fallacies of snake worship.

In fact, the snakes are actually made to starve for several days before Nagpanchami, so that they readily drink the milk offered by the public. “The snakes are reptiles having sharp teeth with which they feed only on live prey like rats, mice, frogs and other mammals they can overpower. These are then swallowed entirely and the snake’s strong digestive juices help in the breakdown of the food. Hence, they are not adapted to drinking milk,” states a press note of WWF.

It is also a myth that snakes drink milk by clinging to the udder of cows and buffaloes. The teeth of snakes are so sharp that a cow or a buffalo cannot tolerate the hold of a snake even for a second.

In nature, only the mammals such as tigers, rats, elephants, whales and human beings have the ability to produce milk and supply to their offsprings.

“In many cases, the mouth of the snakes is stitched before it is displayed before the people. The venom gland, which is equivalent to the salivary gland in human beings, is also punctured with a hot iron rod so that the poisonous snakes, especially cobras, become completely harmless,” further states the press note in order to highlight the plight of the snakes, that are ironically worshipped as gods for just one day.

Some of the bigger snakes like cobras and vipers are also defanged. So without these two fangs, the snakes are unable to kill any prey, and hunger drives them to drink milk.

After drinking milk, the snake suffers from diarrhea and chokes as the milk enters their lungs. In most cases, they die within a few days of Nagpanchami.

The skins of these dead snakes are then sold illegally in the black market. Hence when we patronise the snake charmers, we are indirectly encouraging the illegal trade in snakes.

WWF has further informed that every year around 50,000 snakes die through out the country because of this. “The devotees should therefore worship the snakes in a symbolic way, ie worship idols or pictures of snakes on Nagpanchami,” they said.

For legal action against snake charmers, contact the Deputy Coservator of Forest (Wildlife) in Thane on phone number 5402522.

Volunteers interested in conservation of snakes may please contact the WWF-India office for `Awareness Posters’ to be displayed at public places, schools, colleges and other such places for promoting the cause effectively.