I have used many rattlesnakes and even bushmasters for public displays, and even out of the cage, they do not pose a risk to the public (keep in mind, I use the calmer snakes that I own, not one thats a firecracker). For a school assembly, if I were taking the snakes out of the cage at all, typically I place a rattlesnake on a table, preferably up on a stage. Students are usually 10-12 feet away at the closest. There is no way a rattlesnake is going to get more than 4 feet away from me in any direction. Therefore, there is never a need to be concerned about the snake biting, let alone striking some one else. Therefore, you would not need a venomoid. Generally, when facilities and program, they either don't have a problem with you display the snake on a table, or they tell you it has to stay locked in a cage! There's never a case of "Oh, well, if its venomoid, that's different."

While there is never any "Zero probability Risk" it is low enough that you should never have any concern of using a snake even if it is hot. If you have any worry whatsoever about not being able to control a snake, than you will have that same risk of it escaping period.

The chances of someone getting bitten are nil. If there's any chance of the snake escaping or you losing control of it.....You SHOULD NOT be taking the snake out of the cage period.

I'm assuming you've handled a few rattlesnakes snakes, and are confident in your skills as a handler.

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