Snakes as Stress Relievers

“I can’t stand to even look at a snake!” a visitor to the Plains Conservation Center in Aurora, Colorado, once assured me.  But within 15 minutes, after I had convinced her to actually hold the kingsnake I carried, she changed her mind as the snake glided within her fingers.  “It feels so soothing!” she said.  When her son reached out to take the snake from her, she pulled away.  “It’s my turn to hold it!” she scolded.

To some extent, keeping in mind that anything with a mouth can bite if provoked, nonvenomous snakes can be stress relievers.  Our California kingsnake, Spike, has won the hearts of many who previously abhorred the thought of such a serpent.

[box type=”alert”]We do not recommend picking up a snake in the wild since it would be unaware of your intentions, causing it to feel threatened and possibly bite. Proper handling of a captive nonvenomous snake can result in a pleasant experience.[/box]

First Experiences

“It had been many years since I had held a snake,” says Juliette Gutierrez, assistant manager of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, “but when you introduced me to your snakes, I took particular interest in Spike with his sleek and stunning appearance and mild-mannered presence.”

As a rock-climbing child of the desert southwest, Juliette brushed aside traditional Christmas card photos of whimsical starbursts, delicate snowflakes, and kittens in Santa hats in favor of a picture holding Spike, the kingsnake.  “As Spike weaved through my arms, I was overcome with appreciation and honor to experience such a tranquil moment,” she says.  “There was no Hollywood fang slinging, no constriction to slow purple death.  There was just cool, quiet, still Spike.”

Several years ago, while presenting a snake program to children at a school in Yuma, Arizona, along with our volunteer coordinator, Sue McDonald, I turned to Sue when Chuck needed my assistance.  “Here,” I said, handing Spike to Sue, “hold Spike for a minute while I help Chuck.”

What I didn’t know was that Sue’s experience with snakes was severely limited.  I merely assumed that anyone wearing a refuge uniform was comfortable with every aspect of wildlife.  But as Sue held out her hands to receive the snake, her eyes widened.  “I’ve never held a snake before!” she said.

Later, Sue commented, “You just handed him over like it was no big deal.  I remember thinking, ‘Don’t freak out; stay calm.’”

And Sue did stay calm as she held Spike for several minutes and let him undulate in the palms of her hands.  “To my surprise,” she says today, “it was so easy, and I enjoyed the instant bond I felt with Spike.  He was smooth and calming.  It was ‘love at first touch.’  Thank you for this experience.”

Sue McDonald with Spike

  

Sue and her daughter, Sapphire with Spike

Snake Lovers

Even those who harbor no fears of snakes and enjoy handling them find certain stress relief with one in their hands.  When we volunteered at the visitor center in Jackson, Wyoming, bookstore manager Michelle Campbell regularly sought us out when we brought the snakes.  Michelle especially liked holding Spike.  “I love that snake!” she said.  “What a great stress reliever he is!”

    

  

Although Michelle was partial to Spike, she also sported a big smile when handling our Western Terrestrial Garter snake, Karma, allowing the snake to slither in, out, and through her vest.  Karma appeared to be as much of a stress reliever for Michelle as was Spike.

TV Time

Spike and Karma have won over others as well.  When appearing on KSWT in Yuma, AZ, we brought these snakes along with us.  The weatherman, Joey Norton, took to Spike right away and held him while delivering his forecast.  “Spike wouldn’t like the weather here,” he said pointing to a cold region on the map.

Former KSWT news anchor Susana Franco held Karma while interviewing us about an upcoming library program.  It was her first experience with a snake.  “Even though I’m not really afraid of snakes,” she says, “there’s always a small doubt in the back of one’s mind as to how the snake will react to you.”  Because Karma was mellow, Susana felt a bond with her and was able to relax as the snake intertwined through her fingers.  “It was truly a liberating feeling.  I felt so excited!”

 

Betty & Chuck with Susana Franco with Spike & Karma

One Moment

Many people enjoy their first time handling a snake and wish to repeat the experience.  Many others, however, refuse to consider even touching a snake, much less holding one.

“I greatly wish a change of heart to any person doubt-laden enough to decline an opportunity to hold a snake for just that one moment,” says Juliette Gutierrez.  “One simple moment could unearth the fear from your shoulders and reface your expectations.  One moment could amend your outlook on the world and the creatures living within it.  How much better we would be if we slowed down for just that one moment and felt distinguished in the company of cool, quiet, still Spike.”

Henry David Thoreau“I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment…….and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.”

2 thoughts on “Snakes as Stress Relievers”

  1. I have never been afraid of snakes and have held many of them. But the one that my daughter has was handed to me one day and I instantly felt a very relaxing warm feeling in my core. I thought that maybe it was just a weird thing that happened but then it happened again and again each time I would hold it. I had no idea what was going on but it was better than any other stress reliever I have ever tried by far. Now I need a snake of my own but dont know where to start.

    Reply
    • Hi Vicki,

      You’re right, snakes under the right circumstances are quite able to provide relaxation. And, you’re not the first person we’ve encountered that share your feelings! A great place to find a snake is the website: kingsnake.com. That’ll put you in touch with many snake breeders and they can answer any questions you may have about a specific species. As a rule, I’d avoid pet stores since they may not have the training to adequately answer your questions. Keep in mind, however, that what provides a soothing feeling for you may not do the same for a snake. They may be able to tolerate being handled but most likely won’t enjoy it. In fact snakes as a rule are solitary critters and don’t really want any interaction with other animals unless it involves feeding or breeding. And speaking of feeding, it isn’t a good idea to handle a snake shortly after it has had a meal. At least not til it has had a chance to let the remains pass thru the digestive system, which could take a few days or more.
      But I definitely understand your attraction to such a remarkable animal and am well aware of the soothing benefits they provide. Just keep in mind that it’s important to respect their needs while they serve a soothing purpose to you. I wish more people like you would see snakes as something to be appreciated and respected! Thanks for a great question and good luck with your search!

      Reply

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