I was amazed at how beautiful they were when the sun shone on their scales. Some of the snakes were calm, others were not, but just like people, they have their own personality. I would play with them for a while and then let them go, watching them slither into the high grass. Snakes sting with their tongue. That is why they flick it in and out so much.
All snakes are aggressive.
While there are a few aggressive species, most snakes are secretive, and will avoid confrontation as often as possible. The Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. has a Web site that includes information about snakes. The Spitting Cobra can spit its venom at would be attackers. The Hognosed snake can roll over and play dead to avoid attack. Some snakes can spray a foul smelling musk to ward off enemies.