No disagreement about the potential from the snake. What I've been told, also, is that quite often the biggest potential for damage from a BP bite is if you reflexively pull away. Then, rather than a few small punctures, you get the tear damage from pulling against the teeth. From what I've been told, if you have the presence of mind to simply hold still, the snake will most often simply bite and release rather quickly. No guarantees on any of that kind of stuff, I realize, but it does give you something to think about and to try and "steel" yourself for when the bite does occur.

My son was given Steve Irwin's book a year or two ago. I remember reading through it and seeing the part where Terri, who would eventually go on to be Steve's wife, was first being shown the ropes at the family wildlife park in Australia. Steve handed Terri a baby crocodile, and told her to let it bite her finger. She expressed some hesitation and bewilderment at the instruction, but Steve explained to her that she needed to know what was going to happen if she was bit, and that pulling away would be worse than simply holding still. The potential for injury to both parties was significantly greater if the person flinches away, as the teeth will likely tear the skin, and it's a good possibility that the croc will get flung across the room.

Parakeets, on the other hand, will literally gnaw on you if they're pissed. That little beak is sharp and strong!