"Prejudice again, rank prejudice.  Most snakes are harmless, useful, and fun to raise.  The scarlet snake is a beauty - red, and black and yellow - docile and makes a fine pet.  I think this little fellow was fond of me, in its dim reptilian fashion.  Of course I knew how to handle snakes, how not to alarm them and not give them a chance to bite, because the bite of even a non-poisonous snake is a nuisance.  But I was fond of this baby; he was the prize of my collection.  I used to take him out and show him to people, holding him back of his head and letting him wrap himself around my wrist.