Oh, I suppose I didn't even consider the venom thing - I've rarely, if ever heard of anyone being taken badly ill from a hoggy bite, and as someone with a false water cobra, and it's perfectly possible to be allergic to any snake's saliva.
That having been said, I have a false water cobra and handle him freely etc., so I might be less cautious than most. Each to their own; if people are put off by rear-fanged venomous species, that's fine!