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I took a herp course in college years ago. Part of the curriculum involved a field study of snakes in the Everglades. We walked around tracking and counting rattlesnakes - all species. What impressed me most about them was the pygmy's ability to hide. Young ones would be sitting motionless on a leaf next to your hand and you would barely notice it if not actively seeking them. That excursion gave me a healthy respect for them, more than I had prior. Hold a venomous snake with bare hands? That is a gamble I would not risk no matter how close I was to medical care. I understand why someone would want to, they are beautiful, but the potential for long term problems in my opinion is not worth the risk.
We were fortunate to encounter many different species during the time. My personal favorites were the blue garter snake and the indigo snake. Just amazing coloration.
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