You are correct. They add a bitterant to try & discourage idiots from inhaling it I guess to try to get high. Must do some brain damage as mice & rats don't do to well with it.I don't think the snakes taste it or even smell it as I have had no problems. After freezing them I soak them in hot tap water to thaw & then blow dry with heat. By that time if anything got on the rodent I'm sure it is gone. I think I only did a pre-kill once & the snake hammered and ate pretty fast also so I don't think by them being exposed & breathing it in would have a problem with the snake.