The Reptile Report - Ugh. Tough story to post, but well rounded reptile knowledge, and understanding, is important.

Jakarta- The cobra stalls all open around 5 p.m. and see a steady stream of business until 1 a.m.

The cloth signs that hang over their stalls feature drawings of cobras with bright red eyes and promise traditional medicines and other exotic menu items including lizards, monkeys and bats.

But most customers are here for the cobras.

In one night, vendors can make INR 500,000-1 million (US$55-111). Customers return nightly to drink cobra blood shots, eat cobra meat satay and buy medicines that are stacked in plastic containers on the wooden tables in the middle of the stalls.

As I talk to Dani he rattles off a list of health benefits that come from downing a shot of cobra blood and using the other snake products he has for sale.

Men can expect increased sexual stamina, women firmer breasts, as well as clear, smooth skin. Cobra blood can also cure eczema and arthritis, he claims.

Read the full story, and see more pics, after the jump.

@ The Reptile Report