Most of my snakes seem to prefer me handling them to anyone else...Julien (my Dumeril) will get really agitated and try to get back to me...Jayne (my Cinnamon Ball) gets snotty and agressive (moreso than usual anyways) until he's handed back to me...Biscotti (my normal Ball) literally wads herself into a tight ball until handed back.

Then again, Macchiato (my male Mojave Ball), Temperance (my Retic) and especially Elliot (my Pastel Ball) all seem to like everyone and seem equally at home in the hands of a total stranger as in my hands, so...I think it depends on the snake.

Honestly, I doubt it's that they recognise US AS PEOPLE, but that we are a familiar perch. They like the familiar. All my snakes that have a problem with everyone but me? Also tend to not be very outgoing or tend to be a little shy. Jayne is so snotty I don't let anyone else hold him any more since he WILL bite...I'm trying to work with Julien to get him more calm with no effect...and Biscotti is just a bit timid by nature.

The others tend to be outgoing (Elliot and Temperance are so eager to be held they'll climb your arm when you open their tubs) or really mellow (Macchiato REDEFINES the term mellow!!!)...so it may be that they have a higher tolerance for stress or change.

Of course, there's also Bowline, my Pueblan Milk Snake. She's an equal opportunity critter...she just hates EVERYONE.