This bears repeating.

This young woman was experienced with snakes. Kept hots for years. Free Handled. Had been bitten (and survived) previously as well.

Everything went well. Until it didn't.

She died FAST. She had just enough time to write a note, and didn't even get to call emergency service. She was found dead, clutching that note.

The venomous snakes were euthanized!!

The media reported. The neighbors felt threatened in retrospect. Friends and family upset. Big hit on the hobby and bad light on the responsibility of reptile keepers.

http://articles.latimes.com/1999/dec/17/local/me-44868

There was another woman who died from a bite of the hots she free handled, that was long ago, though. Bites have happened more often then death, of course.

We have to remember, most people don't "understand" snakes. Most hate and fear them. Most people would have NO problem with the laws getting ever more strict regarding reptile keeping. As the more knowledgeable and responsible keepers we should understand the importance of keeping our hobby in a good light.

And someone that understands the danger of keeping hot animals should at least be responsible enough not to turn his handling into a "Youtube ven. snake whisperer/cowboy aka Siegfried and Roy show" If anything, someone like that should use their knowledge for EDUCATION. Not entertainment. If he wants to play Russian Roulette with hot snakes, it shouldn't be to show off for the masses.

IMO, of course.