Yes. I keep them, and like them, but I'm still afraid of them.

Chased garters as a kid - those are the only snakes I'm not afraid of. Coming across a snake unexpectedly always startles me, even if they are dead. I may have accidentally injured a Desert king that was sunning itself on a fish tub earlier this summer. Hope it was ok. Even my own will get my heart racing if they look like they are going to bite. I gently use a snake hook, I talk to them, and I keep the head facing away from me. If the corn is relaxed, I'm ok with him around my neck, but not if he is the least bit squirrly.

Would LOVE to have a big boa some day, but really don't know if I could handle it. Will probably get a Tarahumara locality instead, maybe next year.

Interesting thread topic.
Feels good to "come clean."