Passion drives Iraqi to keep snakes at home

By Hemin Huseyin
DUHOK, Iraq (AA) – For years, Abdulsettar Emin, a resident of the northern Iraqi city of Duhok, has a strong passion for snakes.

Emin, who lives in the Shekhan district of Duhok, says he has been catching snakes for the past 38 years to save them from harm.

“I take care of them when people want to harm them,” Emin told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.
Many people visit Emin's house to take pictures with the snakes.

"Wherever people see snakes around, they inform me" Emin stated.

The Iraqi national, who teaches his kids how to feed snakes, has been catching serpents since 1984.

"I kept snakes with me for a while, before I let them go,” he said. “When I got married and had children, I started feeding them at home."

Emin pointed out that he has 60 snakes in his house, adding that he taught his children how to coexist with the snakes and not be afraid of them.

Emin stated that he kept three types of snakes in his house.

"We have black snakes, blind snakes and king snakes. The most dangerous snakes are the blind ones. I don't catch this species unless I have to. The black snake, however, is harmless."

Emin explained that the lifespan of snakes can be known from their skin, while their species can be determined from their heads.

He noted that if the snake's abdomen is not red, it is a male, which has a larger head compared to the female.
Emin emphasized that a snake does not bite unless it is attacked.

"The snake often hides itself so that it does not have to attack because when it bites, it discharges its venom, which is considered an energy source to the snake.”

Emin pointed out that black snakes are not harmful but beneficial since they only eat mice and poisonous snakes in the field.

He also pointed out that snakes do not eat anything from January to April, and that their main food is red meat.
According to Emin, the month of June is the mating season for snakes.

"During mating, which lasts for about an hour, snakes pass out. In July, the female lays eggs and they begin hatching within 2 months."

During the interview, Emin was informed of a snake in a nearby village and he rushed to catch it alongside his 13-year-old son.

*Ikram Imane kouachi in Ankara contributed to this report