US and Thai troops have torn the heads off snakes and drunk their blood in a disgusting ritual during training.

Soldiers are learning how to survive in the jungle, and also peeled the skin from geckos before eating them alive.

It is happening at a training camp in Chanthaburi, in southeastern Thailand, news.com reports .

It comes despite concern that the coronavirus outbreak is linked to the consumption of wild animals.

Photos show troops drinking snake blood as they learn how to survive in hazardous situations.

They are participating in the Cobra Gold camp, which has been carried out annually since 1982.

During the training they learn what plants it is safe to eat, and what to do if they become separated from their unit.

Marines were told that drinking animal blood can help them to stay hydrated.

US Army Brigadier General Josh Rudd said: “Cobra Gold is a tremendous opportunity to reinforce the relationship with the Kingdom of Thailand and the Royal Thai forces.”

And following a beach assault exercise carried out by troops, he added: “We had some different capabilities this year with the Marine F-35 and its tremendous capabilities and a great opportunity to have it part of this amphibious assault exercise.”