While free handlers are frowned upon due to unneeded risk - it is more so the massive amount of irresponsible keepers that have snakes escape that get keepers in hot spots. Even though I don't fully support free handling, I feel compelled to remind folks that the top reasons for individuals getting hit by a venomous snake is:
1) attempting to kill if
2) drunk handling
3) boasting/ showing off
Free handlers rarely get bit, but when they do it definitely does make the news (more so on snake preachers and exhibitionist in India - more so see boasting category).
Cheers
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