Camels are renowned for their ability to endure harsh desert conditions, earning them the nickname “the ship of the desert.” These resilient animals can go for days without drinking water, navigating the arid landscapes with remarkable adaptability. There’s a surprising aspect of camels that often goes unnoticed: a peculiar disease known as “hiam.”
Hiam, which translates to “swallowing a snake alive,” is a mysterious ailment that afflicts camels in certain regions. When camels contract hiam, they exhibit unusual behavior, ceasing to eat or drink and fixating their gaze on the sun until their demise. Intriguingly, local beliefs in the Middle East suggest that the cure for hiam lies in the consumption of live snakes, specifically venomous ones like the king cobra or formidable python.
During episodes of hiam, camels sometimes take matters into their own hands, or rather mouths, and ingest the snake voluntarily. After swallowing the serpent, the camel experiences an intense thirst, enduring this parched state for up to eight hours. Subsequently, the venom from the snake induces profuse tearing in the camel’s eyes, facilitating the spread of the toxin throughout its body.
Camel’s condition gradually improves, eventually leading to full recovery within a matter of days. Despite the apparent efficacy of this unorthodox treatment, experts remain puzzled by the origins and triggers of hiam in camels. The underlying cause of this curious disease continues to elude scientific explanation.
While camels are renowned for their resilience and ability to survive in harsh desert environments; they are not immune to the enigmatic affliction known as hiam. This peculiar disease is characterized by the ingestion of live snakes and subsequent venom-induced symptoms.
