This is just the sort of ignorance that has given snakes a bad reputation. And by ignorance I mean the true definition of the word. My mother is one of those germ freaks, you know the kind. I sent her a pic of my 6 year old daughter holding our 7 month old, 141 gram Ball. Wow, did that open a can of worms!!! Here's how that went:
Mom: "You know that most reptiles carry Salmonella."
Me: "Some do, but this one wasn't caught in the wild, and he's been to the vet."
Mom: "Well do you make sure you and her(my daughter) wash your hands afterwards?"
Me: "No mom, as a matter of fact we have the snake at the table during dinner and let it pick food out of our mouths...yes we wash our hands...before and after!"
Mom: "Well you don't let it run loose do you? It won't get in there and choke my granddaughter to death while she's sleeping will it?"
Me: "No mother, it doesn't run loose. That wouldn't be healthy for the snake!"
Mom:....Long silence....."That's not funny!"
But really, education is the key. We live close to Silver Springs and they have a pretty good non-venomous show several times a day to educate people. It's not nearly enough, but it's a start. I say keep spreading the word. "Those armed with knowledge will better fight their wars!"...Me!