I didn't read every reply... but the truth of salmonella is... if you're clean it won't happen. The only real way you're going to contract salmonella is if you have a snake with a RI who's slobbering and you don't wash afterwards, or if you drink water from there water bowl.. like I've stated many times you have a better chance of getting salmonella from snakes then from raw eggs, BUT both are easily.prevented. the truth is you have a better chance from raw chicken then your snake. Just don't let the kids drink the water and you'll be fine. my step-son still hasn't caught salmonella neither has either of my brothers.. I personally feel like the whole salmonella thing is drastically over speculated in snakes...