In humans, there are parts in the middle ear called the hammer, anvil and stirrup. Although these parts allow us to hear, they actually perceive vibrations, not sound waves as we know them (music, for example).

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The hammer is attached to the eardrum and receives sound vibrations and transmits them to the anvil.

The anvil transmits the vibrations from the hammer to the stirrup.

The stirrup transmits the vibrations to the fluid in the inner ear.

This fluid stimulates the hair cells. The hair cells convert the sound vibrations into electrical signals (action potentials) and transmit them to the brain.

 

The brain INTERPRETS the vibrations. We hear sounds and listen to music.

 

Snakes do not have outer ears; There are small holes on the sides of their heads. They also do not have middle ears or eardrums, but they do have inner ears.

 

Although they do not have middle ears, they have a Columella bone in a similar position to this structure. This bone transmits sound vibrations in the air; and the jaw bones transmit sound vibrations on the ground to the inner ear like the hammer, anvil and stirrup of us (and all mammals). The inner ear converts the vibrations into electrical signals (action potentials) and transmits them to the brain.

 

In short, although snakes perceive vibrations (especially low-frequency vibrations) in different environments (such as on the ground/soil) much more effectively than humans due to their ear structure, they cannot hear vibrations (sounds) spreading in the air like humans.

 

<b> Therefore, the belief that snake charmers "charm" snakes according to the sound of a flute is wrong.

 

The reason for the snakes' movements - their so-called dances - is that they perceive the movements of the snake charmer as a threat and react defensively by threatening.</b> If you watch a snake charmer, you will see them constantly waving their flutes. Snakes make certain movements because they are afraid of the flute being swung too hard. In other words, even if the snake charmer swings the flute without playing, the snakes will behave the same way.

 

 However, the body language of snakes is so graceful that even the movements of a scared cobra made with anxiety are graceful enough to be seen as a dance by humans.

 

Since snakes are extremely peaceful creatures, they sometimes do not even see the swinging of the flute as a threat. This is why snake charmers often have to poke the snakes first. </b>

 

Since the snakes used in these shows are captive animals taken from their natural habitat (some snake charmers take precautions such as sewing the animals' mouths shut), snake charms were banned in India in 1972. Animal rights advocates are trying to completely end these ongoing acts in some regions.

 

The real dance of snakes occurs during the mating process.