I handle some snakes everyday. But that's mainly for me, it seems to make me feel calmer. Personally I don't think the snakes give two hoots about being held of not and most would probably prefer to be left alone. Some of them do seem to enjoy coming out for a while but I think that's mainly a curiosity thing and not because they enjoy my company. I think they do recognize me as part of their environment but I'm sure they think of me as more of a warm moving tree that brings them food then as an actual object of affection.