Jimmy Morrow, a snake-handling preacher from Tennessee, talks with reporter Sammy Fretwell about why he uses snakes in his worship services, what it feels like to bitten by one, and what mysterious sight he sees in his church when he handles them.
Snake handling preachers buy serpents in South Carolina because the state has virtually no control over the sale of venomous reptiles, such as cobras and rattlesnakes.
Thousands of wild animals are being traded through South Carolina as the world’s demand for exotic pets and food grows, especially in Asia. Trade is loosely regulated in SC, making the state a destination for illegal wildlife sales.
Rare turtles that could bring a hefty price on the black market live on a hidden nature preserve east of Charleston, South Carolina. The animals are victims of habitat loss and the illegal trade in wildlife that is cleaning out South Carolina swamps of important reptiles.
South Carolina's illegal animal trade, which is affecting snake and turtle populations, is growing and attracting a cast of wildlife traders who are breaking the law.
Jimmy Morrow, a snake-handling preacher from Tennessee, talks with reporter Sammy Fretwell about why he uses snakes in his worship services, what it feels like to bitten by one, and what mysterious sight he sees in his church when he handles them.
