When holding a snake, don't handle it right after feeding (wait 48+ hours), grab it by the head or tail, hold it too tightly, approach quickly from above, or handle a sick/stressed snake; instead, support its body with two hands, move slowly and calmly, and always wash your hands before and after to prevent misidentification as food and stop salmonella spread.
Avoid gripping the snake behind its head if possible. If you must grip, use all your fingers and avoid choking. Avoid picking up the snake by the tail. This can sometimes cause damage to the snake.
The right way to handle a snake would be to hold the upper half with one hand and the bottom half in the other hand. If the snake is over 6ft or aggressive then it should be handled by two people for the health and safety of the snake and the handlers.
Never try to pick up a snake, even if it is dead. A snake's reflexes can still cause the snake to strike up to an hour after it has died. If you have an encounter with a snake, give it the right-of-way. Do not attempt to kill the snake, just move out of the snake's way.
It is a good idea to wash your hands after handling a snake, or honestly any animal. You could catch something from the animal if you don't. Anything from poison ivy on a pet dog or cat's fur to salmonella from a reptile.
What to avoid
Reptile-associated salmonellosis (RAS) can pose a serious health threat to humans, especially children, and an estimated 6% of human sporadic salmonellosis cases have been attributed to direct or indirect contact with reptiles, although the exact number is not known.
Snakes are highly sensitive to odors, so those currently denning in the home can be “evicted” by applying products such as vinegar, lime mixed with hot pepper, garlic or onions, Epsom salt, or oils such as clove, cinnamon, cedarwood, or peppermint to the perimeter.
First and foremost, the cold. Temperatures lower than 60° impairs their ability to protect themselves. Very often it is standing their ground when having to deal w/ humans.
Every snake is unique. Some may enjoy gentle handling or petting, while different snakes prefer less contact. Don't worry if your pet snake isn't fond of petting. There are plenty of other ways to provide excellent care and enrichment for your reptile.
Start interactions slowly and incrementally.
Start by introducing your hand into the enclosure without making any sudden movements. Allow your reptile to become accustomed to your presence and associate your touch with positive experiences, such as feeding and enjoyable physical touch.
Finally, don't handle your python within 24-28 hours of a meal, as this can stress them out and lead to regurgitation, which is a traumatic experience that can lead to death. Also do not handle if the python's eyes have turned blue and opaque.
Despite popular belief, snakes do not actively hunt or chase humans. Most species prefer to conserve energy and avoid unnecessary conflict, so they will usually retreat if given space.
A snake's biggest enemies are a diverse group of predators, with the mongoose, honey badger, and various raptors (like eagles, secretary birds) being top contenders due to their speed, fearlessness, and specialized hunting skills; even other snakes, like kingsnakes, prey on them. These predators exploit a snake's vulnerability to swift attacks, often targeting their heads and relying on speed or natural defenses against venom to win confrontations.
If your snake is in shed, hold off on corn snake handling. A snake “in the blue” will appear to have bluish, cloudy eyes, which means it may be extra defensive because it can't see well. Wait until your pet has shed its skin, then resume regular handling.
Mongooses. Mongooses, renowned for their quick reflexes and fearless nature, are an indomitable adversary that strikes fear into the heart of their slithering nemesis. These small carnivores are known for their ability to take down much larger opponents, including snakes.
If you discover a snake, do not approach it closely. If you step on a snake or are very close to a Puff adder then move away quickly. If the snake is only about a meter away, freeze at first and see the snakes reaction - it will likely look for an escape route. If it is cornered, back away slowly.
This lesson also addressed snakes, which are reptiles and have one heart, unlike some other animals, like octopi, which may have several. The heart of a snake is located a few inches from its head, within its torso. Snakes also are adapted to reroute their blood while feeding.
Snake senses are finely tuned to detect the smell of rodent urine and droppings, which signal the presence of an easy meal. Even a small amount of rodent activity can be enough to attract snakes, as the scent trails left behind act as natural beacons for predators.
Keep them busy. You want your animal to move around and explore, and one way to do that is to provide objects in the enclosure or to give them challenges or new situations. Rocks to climb over or under are a great option because most reptiles would encounter rocks in their natural environments.
The top ten snake killers, in order, are:
Reptiles and amphibians often carry Salmonella bacteria in their digestive tracts. Even healthy reptiles and amphibians can carry the bacteria. People can get sick from Salmonella bacteria through contact with reptiles, amphibians, or their environments, including water from their tanks or aquariums.
The body has many natural defenses against salmonella infection. For example, strong stomach acid can kill many types of salmonella bacteria.
Symptoms of salmonella affect your stomach and intestines (GI tract) and include: