A sssspa treatment with a difference: Zoo visitors can get a massage from four giant PYTHONS

The four Burmese pythons slither across participants for up to 15 minutes - and the snakes are fed 10 chickens beforehand to curb any hunger pangs

Fearless tourists are taking up a slithering spa treatment with a difference - by receiving massages from four giant pythons.

Visitors to Cebu City Zoo in the Philippines can undergo a ’sssspa treatment’ from the deadly snakes which measure up to five metres long.

The four Burmese pythons slither across participants for up to 15 minutes - and the snakes are fed 10 chickens beforehand to curb any hunger pangs.

The terrifying treatment is free for zoo visitors, and is apparently beneficial because the snakes’ slithering is therapeutic and calming.

Zoo bosses also claim the flickering of the snakes’ tongue on skin mimics a tickling sensation.


However, those brave enough to take part are ordered not to shout out during the treatment, as the pythons might mistake them for prey or predators.

Visitors also shouldn’t blow air on the snake, as this is the same as ‘being pinched on the bum’ and can rile the snakes.

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The four Burmese Pythons - named Michelle, Walter, EJ and Daniel - are taken out of their cages and placed one at a time on top of visitors, who lie down on a bamboo bed near the zoo's main entrance.

Zoo manager Giovanni Romarate said: 'We have to set a time limit to accommodate all visitors who want to try it.'
 
Romarate, who owns Michelle and Walter, is confident that the snake massage is safe.
 
He added: 'Snakes do not attack as long as they are not harmed. We also made sure that we use pythons because they are not venomous.


'At first, visitors feel fear but most of the guests who try the snake massage say that they like it. It's like getting a hand massage. You get to enjoy the cold grip of our snakes.'
 
Ian, a professional cameraman, who filmed tourists undergoing the snake massage, added: 'The slithering motion is actually quite pleasant.

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'With all the snakes covering my body, they weighed around 250kilos - it is impossible to get up without the handler's help.'
 
The attraction isn't for the feint-hearted, Burmese Pythons can constrict their victim to death quickly.
 
Ian added: 'It is common to see scars and bite marks on the snake handlers. Some say these guys are a dying breed.'