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  3. China's 'Snake Village' Breeds More Than 3 Million Snakes A Year

China's 'Snake Village' Breeds More Than 3 Million Snakes A Year

Zisiqiao village is in the Zhejiang Province on China's southeastern coast.

China's 'Snake Village' Breeds More Than 3 Million Snakes A Year

It's primarily known for its Hangzhou Mountains, and for harvesting tea, cotton, and jute (a type of fiber).

It

Source: China.org.cn

Now let's enter Zisiqiao, the Chinese village that produces 3 million snakes annually.

Now let

Source: Reuters

You can find all kinds of dangerous snakes here, like cobras, vipers, and pythons.

You can find all kinds of dangerous snakes here, like cobras, vipers, and pythons.

Source: Reuters

Yang Hongchang, the man who introduced snake breeding to Zisiqiao, holds snakes at arm distance as he transfers them from the water.

Yang Hongchang, the man who introduced snake breeding to Zisiqiao, holds snakes at arm distance as he transfers them from the water.

Source: Reuters

The snakes are then put into mesh bags for easy transport. Check out these sacks full of snakes!

The snakes are then put into mesh bags for easy transport. Check out these sacks full of snakes!

Source: Reuters

Then they are taken to be slaughtered. After their venom is harvested, the snakes head is chopped off.

Then they are taken to be slaughtered. After their venom is harvested, the snakes head is chopped off.

Source: Reuters

Here, residents cut up a snake for its meat. Snake soup is said to be good for the immune system.

Here, residents cut up a snake for its meat. Snake soup is said to be good for the immune system.

Source: BBC

The tails can be harvested for food...

The tails can be harvested for food...

Source: Reuters

...or left to air-dry and be made into medicine and powders.

...or left to air-dry and be made into medicine and powders.

Source: Reuters

Hongchang drops his dead snakes into a jar.

Hongchang drops his dead snakes into a jar.

Source: Reuters

And then preserves them with alcohol at the snake farm.

And then preserves them with alcohol at the snake farm.

Source: Reuters

Their meat will be sold to food manufacturers and their venom to pharmaceutical companies.

Their meat will be sold to food manufacturers and their venom to pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Reuters

Here, a few villagers look closely at one of the jars full of snakes.

Here, a few villagers look closely at one of the jars full of snakes.

Source: Reuters

The end product: Hongchang enjoys a piece of snake meat at a restaurant in Zisiqiao.

The end product: Hongchang enjoys a piece of snake meat at a restaurant in Zisiqiao.

Source: Reuters

Now tour another corner of the world.

Now tour another corner of the world.

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