Non-poisonous snakes that bite to protect themselves usually bite and let go very quickly, it is less painful than any dog or cat bite I've ever had. You may have 50 tiny holes smaller that any needles the vet uses to give vaccines with in the outline of the snake's mouth, and the wounds may bleed for a few seconds, but just soap and water to clean it up and AB ointment will heal it in about 3-4 days.
Non poisonous constrictors usually do not constrict anything that is too big for them to eat. If a small idiot snake bites and constricts around your arm, begin unwrapping it from the tail and work up to it's head. They usually won't let go till you get close to the head, then you can fling it away. Snakes don't chew, and if they eat something way too big for their size, they won't be able to move too well for a few days (makes them very vulnerable) and they could choke and die from it.
Snakes also have scent glands that are similar to anal glands in a dog, and sometimes if they are frightened or when they are first handled, they will let loose these glands and the smell ...Ewwww! But then you know the snake most likely wants to leave.
I found the basis of my snake phobia was actually the fear of death. Once I realized that smaller non-poisonous snakes cannot kill me, I was okay with them. As I continued working with them, I learned to read their body language, just like we do with our pups.
Hope this helps... gotta batten down the hatches... tornado warning here!
