You should bury a snake's head, especially if it belonged to a venomous snake, to prevent potential hazards from scavenging insects and the complications they might pose.
The Rationale Behind Burying a Snake's Head
The practice of burying a snake's head, particularly after it has been severed, stems from a specific precaution against certain scavenging insects, often referred to as "meat bees."
According to advice from those experienced in dealing with snakes:
- Preventing Scavenging: If a snake's head is not buried, these "meat bees" may be attracted to it and consume its remains.
- Mitigating Risk: There is a belief that if these bees, after feeding on the snake's head (especially a venomous one), then sting a person, it could lead to significant problems or complications for the stung individual. This suggests a potential, albeit unspecified, transfer of risk or danger associated with the bees having interacted with the venomous remains.
Burying the head is therefore considered a simple, practical step to remove this potential chain of events and enhance safety.
Key Safety Considerations
- Always exercise extreme caution when dealing with snakes, particularly venomous species.
- Even a severed snake head can retain reflexes for a period, making it dangerous.
- Proper disposal, such as burying, helps prevent unexpected secondary hazards.
| Action Taken | Potential Outcome (Without Burying) |
|---|---|
| Bury Snake's Head | Eliminates attraction for scavenging "meat bees." |
| Do Not Bury Head | "Meat bees" may feed on it, leading to a risk if they sting you. |
