An Indian hypnotist and snake charmer with a giant snake wrapped around his neck and body. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1900

A tiger snake being handled by the head keeper of Bronx Zoo reptile house. It is the latest arrival to the zoo and is probably one of the most vicious snakes in the world. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 11th November 1922

Arimand Banu, the female Indian dancer and snake charmer, wrapped in a large cobra. Her erotic and exotic dancing astonished her audiences on a British tour. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images). 1925

An attendant at the Snake Farm in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with pythons wrapped around his neck. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 1928

Snake charmer handling snake basket, Singapore. (Photo by Charles Phelps Cushing/Retrofile/Getty Images). 1930s

A nurse at the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals in London treats an 8ft long Boa Constrictor that has toothache. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). Circa 1930

A woman with a cat tucked under her arm has spread her odd collection of live reptiles on a table to view. This includes a lizard, a baby crocodile, a snake and two turtles. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Circa 1930

Giant snakeskins hanging in a Port of London Authority warehouse. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 16th September 1930

A zoo assistant feeding a baby Madagascar Boa Constrictor through a funnel at London Zoo. (Photo by Alan Lawn/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 7th April 1937

A baby girl and her mother play with a harmless Indigo snake at a serpentarium. (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1950

A baby girl plays with a harmless Indigo snake at a serpentarium. (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1950

Secretary and part-time model Ginger Stanley holding a large python at Silver Springs, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Mozert/Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1950

A snake charmer kissing a giant cobra in Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar). (Photo by Bert Hardy/Picture Post/Getty Images). 28th January 1950

Circus performer Millie Kayes swallowing the head of a 12ft python in the bar of the Peggy Bradford hotel. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 1952

Dancer Ly Mara with her nine foot long Tiger-python. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 14th June 1954

A cobra being fed sugarwater in India. (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1955

A snake charmer practises his art in Mithabar, near New Delhi. The area is ideal for snake breeding and is an ancient centre of the snake charming profession. (Photo by Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1955

A snake charmer performing in the town square of Marrakesh, Morocco. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1955

A 23 feet long python is brought back from Africa for a zoo in Rome. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 28th October 1956

Linda Rooks from Yeovil in Somerset, a hostess at Whipsnade Zoo, wears “Tanga” a 7fy long python as a hat and scarf. (Photo by William Vanderson/Getty Images). 1965

American rock singer Alice Cooper performing on stage with a boa constrictor snake, 6th December 1971. (Photo by Max Schneider/Keystone/Getty Images)

A roller-skater taking his pet boa constrictor for a ride at Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Max Schneider/Getty Images). 1980