THE ADDING OF DESIGNS MAY BE A WAY THE OWNER PERSONALIZES HIS WEAPON OR PERHAPS THE DESIGN SIGNIFIES HIS FAMILY OR TRIBE OR STATUS. OR IT MAY JUST BE ART.

IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE IN SOME CASES TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF SNAKE BY THE PATTERN IF IT IS AN ACCURATE COPY OF THE REAL PATTERN. PYTHON OR FOR A POISONOUS ONE PERHAPS A GABOON VIPER OR SOME OTHER.