Archive · 4 Nov 2025
Camel Snake Feeding: Ancient Cure for 'Hayam' Disease in Middle East
In some Middle Eastern places, people believe camels get a sickness called Hayam.
This sickness makes them stop eating and drinking, get stiff, and feel sick.
To help them get better, some people feed live snakes, even poisonous ones like king cobras, to the camels.
They believe the snake's poison fights the sickness inside the camel.
They say the camels get better in a few days.
But, animal doctors say there is no real science to prove this works.
They think the sickness might be from bug bites or other germs.
Doctors call this snake feeding a tradition, not a real medicine.
Camels in some Arab countries are fed live venomous snakes as a traditional remedy for Hayam disease.
Hayam disease causes camels to stop eating and drinking, become stiff, and suffer from lethargy, fever, and anemia.
Locals believe snake venom circulates through the camel's body, neutralizing the infection and leading to recovery.
Veterinarians dismiss the practice, stating there is no scientific evidence to support its effectiveness.
Experts suggest Hayam may be caused by insect bites or infections, and is considered a cultural tradition rather than a proven cure.
- Who
- Locals in several Arab countries and veterinarians
- What
- A traditional practice of feeding live snakes to camels to treat a disease called Hayam.
- When
- Ongoing, with a 'last updated' date of November 04, 2025
- Where
- Several Arab countries, particularly in the Middle East
- Why
- Locals believe that snake venom neutralizes an infection causing Hayam disease, which can be fatal if untreated.
- Condition Treated
- Hayam disease in camels
- Traditional Remedy
- Feeding live snakes, including king cobras
- Believed Mechanism
- Snake venom neutralizes infection
- Expert Opinion
- No scientific basis, classified as cultural tradition
- Potential Causes of Hayam
- Insect bites or infections