I agree it's worth qualifying the term "big snake" for a more accurate answer. 8 ft is one thing while 13 ft and up is something else. A 10 ft female boa or anaconda is also a lot stronger than a 10 ft male burm.

We have a couple female red tail boas in the 10 ft and 50-70 lb range (both weighed recently) and a couple male burmese pythons in the 10-12 ft and 50-70 lb range. We do hundreds of educational programs each year with our animals so they come into contact with thousands of families and are very comfortable around people, since it has become part of their environment. They could be described as sweet, gentile, etc. Here they are with lots of kids and families (some pics a couple years old):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOawK8W5wPw
Now keep the image of these sweet, gentile snakes in your mind while you read the next paragraph.

During feeding time, they do not know the difference between me and the food. Each one of them regularly strikes at me (on the other side of the glass) once the smell of food hits the air (thawing out frozen rats and rabbits in the reptile room helps them work up an appetite). This helps me remember that they are sweet, gentile animals with very small brains and very big instincts.

I'd be lying if I said I never handle them myself. But I do try to work with them when I have others with me whenever possible. And I especially NEVER take any liberties during feeding time.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
www.forgottenfriend.org

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