My snakes always go for my face and head when I am holding them. As others have said, they can sense the heat so of course that is what they are going to go for. I just relax and let them climb on me. None of my snakes have ever struck at me intentionally. My little pastel male struck at me once but that was because he was just a hatchling and was very frightened. He has since calmed down and I am now able to handle him with great ease.