A recent post by Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) sparked a significant debate on 'X'. The tweet featured an individual bathing a king cobra, eliciting mixed reactions from the online community.
In the tweet, Nanda highlighted that snakes, including the king cobra, shed their skin as a natural process to renew their protective outer layer. This initiated a discussion regarding the necessity of human intervention in this natural cycle.
Bathing a king cobra😳
— Susanta Nanda (@susantananda3) October 17, 2023
Snakes have skin to protect & keep them clean, which they shed periodically.
So what’s the need for playing with fire? pic.twitter.com/rcd6SNB4Od
Several users, like Sid (@sidduu96), shed light on the context behind the video. In captivity, snakes sometimes struggle to shed their skin fully, necessitating human assistance to prevent discomfort or harm. However, the handling and bathing of a snake, particularly a venomous one like the king cobra, should only be conducted by professionals.
Juby Mathews (@jubymathews12) raised ethical concerns, suggesting that the snake in the video may have had its fangs removed. The removal of fangs is a highly debated and contentious practice, as it compromises the snake's natural abilities and raises questions about cruelty.
Furthermore, Shashank Gangil (@GangilShashank) speculated that these snakes are often used for shows in countries like Thailand and suggested that they might be defanged. Snake shows, where they are made to perform tricks or stunts, are a topic of ethical concern and have been criticized for the stress they cause to the animals involved.
This Twitter debate underscores the need for ethical treatment of animals, particularly when dealing with species like snakes. Responsible animal care and handling, along with expert intervention, are vital to ensure the well-being of both the animal and the handler. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining ethical standards in the treatment of animals.