I have a kingsnake (24inches 69grams) that will strike in his home, but once I have ahold of him, he is fine...

I just make sure he is awake and alert before I try to pick him up... when he starts slithering away from where I touched, I pick him up by the back half and then he is more worried about coiling to hold on than nipping. I haven't been bitten yet althoguh I am sure it will happen.

Good luck!