Snakes seem to have a sixth sense for seeking out where a human is feeling pain. After a few minutes, they gravitate towards the injured area and move around on the same spot. Even I can’t explain why, and I’ve been handling snakes for more than 30 years.

When I do a massage, I place five snakes on a person’s back, all at the same time. The largest will be 8ft long, a king snake, and good for soothing stiff muscles. Most of my customers know what to expect when they come here for the treatment and aren’t afraid but sometimes the therapy is bought as a surprise present – and then people can be scared.

I live on a plant farm in Talmei Elazar, near Haifa in Israel. When I left school I worked as a teacher with handicapped children. It was a good job but I like being outside and started a business importing and selling rare, carnivorous plants.