Snake charming is an ancient form of entertainment in northern Africa, and in India, Pakistan, and other parts of southern Asia. A snake charmer usually uses a cobra. The charmer sits in front of the snake, playing a flute and swaying back and forth. The snake, in turn, raises its head and neck and begins to sway. The snake responds to the movements of the charmer, rather than to the music, which it cannot hear.
Snake charmers must understand the behavior of snakes. Sometimes they cut out the fangs of venomous snakes. This procedure makes the snakes harmless until the fangs grow back in. Some circuses employ people called “charmers” who handle harmless boa constrictors or pythons.
