Guide to Snake Wranglers and Safety in the Moroccan Desert

In Morocco, snake wranglers are a standard requirement for major productions, particularly when filming in the arid landscapes of Ouarzazate, Erfoud, or the Zagora desert. They generally serve two distinct purposes: Safety (Sweepers)and On-Camera Action (Animal Actors).

A three-panel infographic chart titled "VENOMOUS SERPENTS OF NORTH AFRICA: THREE KEY SPECIES" displaying detailed illustrations and text profiles for three snakes: Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje): Illustrated rearing up in a defensive posture with a flared hood showing dark markings. A side profile shows its smooth head. The background is a grassy landscape. A map highlights North Africa. Bullet points list: Size up to 2.5 meters (8 ft); Venom is potent neurotoxic and cytotoxins; Habitat includes grasslands, savannas, and cultivated fields; Behavior is crepuscular with an aggressive defensive display. Puff Adder (Bitis arietans): Illustrated coiled on dry grass in a savanna landscape with acacia trees. Labels point out chevron body markings and a camouflage pattern. A close-up highlights the head shape. A map highlights most of Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of North Africa. Bullet points list: Size up to 1.9 meters (6 ft); Venom is primarily cytotoxic causing severe tissue damage; Habitat is varied savannas, grasslands, and arid regions; Behavior is sluggish, relying on camouflage, with an aggressive "puffing" sound and strike. Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes): Illustrated coiled on desert sand surrounded by sparse xerophytic shrubs. Labels point to its horned head and cross-spotted pattern. A close-up focuses on its distinctive eye horns. A map highlights the Sahara desert region of North Africa. Bullet points list: Size up to 0.85 meters (2.8 ft); Venom is hemotoxic, causing hemorrhage and necrosis; Habitat includes arid deserts, stony plains, and dunes; Behavior is nocturnal with sidewinding movement, often burying itself in sand.


The “Sweepers” (Safety Wranglers)

Before any crew members or actors step onto a desert set, a team of professional wranglers—often local experts—is hired to “sweep” the location.

  • The Job: They arrive at sunrise to clear the immediate filming area and the “village” (catering, trailers) of indigenous venomous species.
  • Target Species: In Morocco, they primarily look for the Egyptian Cobra, the Puff Adder, and the Horned Viper.
  • Protocol: Any snakes found are humanely relocated several kilometres away from the set and released. The wranglers typically remain on standby throughout the day to monitor the perimeter.

The “Animal Actors” (Trained Reptiles)

If the script actually requires a snake to interact with an actor or perform a specific movement, production usually brings in specialized animal trainers.

  • Local vs. International: While Morocco has a long tradition of “snake charmers” (notably in Marrakesh’s Jemaa el-Fnaa), international film bonds and safety regulations (like those from the American Humane Association) often require certified Film Animal Handlers.
  • Welfare & Ethics: Certified wranglers use animals that are habituated to humans and provide temperature-controlled environments to ensure the reptiles are active and healthy for the shot.

Logistics & Budgeting

In Morocco, wranglers are treated as part of the technical crew and are eligible for the 30% Cash Rebate, provided they are hired through a local production service company.

  • The “Kit”: Wranglers bring specialized tongs, hook-sticks, and secure transport boxes.
  • On-Site Medic: For high-risk areas, the production’s Chief Medical Officer will often coordinate with the wranglers to ensure specific anti-venom for local vipers is kept on-site in a refrigerated unit.