Demand rises for ‘Jewish’ snake

Healing ‘Jewish’ snake found in Iraq Baghdad - Jaafar Al Nasrawi Exotic snake hunting has increased in popularity in Iraq recently, after demands grew for a specific breed that is believed to have healing properties. The Jewish snake is the most coveted. Found in the orchards of Diyala in eastern Iraq, the snake is recognised by its large head, thin neck, firm waist and long tail. Ground snakes hunters in Diyala confirmed the high turnout to buy the snake, known as a Jewish, due to its use in black magic. They revealed that the price of one adult snake has reached one million Iraqi dinar.   A snake hunter from Diyala, Abu Wadah al-Qaysi, only recently turned to capturing snakes. He said:  “We learn to kill snakes when we find them because they can harm people - especially in the agriculture orchards.  We used to hunt wild animals to sell to shops in Baghdad for taxidermy. But after the growing demands for snakes, we started hunting them, especially the Jewish snake because of its high price.” Al-Qaisi revealed that most of the snakes are used for black magic, considered extremely deadly in many parts of the world. He said: “People believe that jinn (spiritual being) live inside the snakes.” Rabah Qais, 50, sells medicinal herbs and confirmed that the Jewish snakes are used for several purposes – particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. They are used in treatments for cancer, baldness and paralysis which has increased the interest in them recently. Wild animal hunter, Alaa Moussa said that the number of Jewish snakes in the area is very limited and can only be found in specific sections of Diyala province. Local magician Abu Wafa, 40, said that the most prominent use of the Jewish snake in black magic is to cause problems between married couples, or physical harm to someone. The main parts of the snake used in black magic are the fangs after being crushed. The eyes are also used along with a few drops of poison. The snake’s body can also be dried and crushed into a paste used to treat baldness and paralysis.