Our snake Ruby (12 foot, 80lbs, red-tail boa) has been to kindergartens, old folks homes, random family reunions, and about 100 pet stores. She has never wrapped herself around anyone, hissed, or done anything aggressive. It sounds like your friends with snakes don’t take very good care of them. Or they got troubled animals.

Best pet I ever had was a ball Python. She was the absolute cuddiest creature I’ve ever met. If she didn’t know your smell she wouldn’t budge from her current spot, but if she did she’d slide right up your arm and ride on your shoulders all day. Unless you have boobs, then it’s straight to the bra.

She never bit anyone in the years I knew her. She even had a preference for movies, if you played something scary she would hide but if you played kids movies she’d move to your lap.

I have two; a male common corn snake and a male hognose. They are definitely not cuddly animals, as you stated. However, they absolutely can and do get to know their handlers, and learn how to be relaxed when handled - and they obviously enjoy it, since they often seek out being handled of their own free will (I usually open the enclosure when they’re “surfing” up against the glass and let them decide whether they want to slide into my hands). I’ve had them for a few years now and I have been bitten, but never out of “malice”. All biting incidents were my own fault due to inexperience, and the snakes mistaking my hands for their meal. A snakebite from a non-venomous or very mildly venomous snake is no worse than a bee sting. If you have cats, you’ve probably been through worse than whatever a snake can do to you.

All in all, could recommend!

Snake tax:

I have one and love her very much!!

I don’t have time to elaborate on all questions at the moment, but snakes definitely don’t ever try to kill people out of aggression. Little nips can happen if your snake is defensive/ fearful or mistakes you for food (which, food for them is usually the size of a rat), but there is never malice behind it.

Most snakes aren’t really social, so they probably don’t even recognize different people as anything more than warm trees that smell slightly differently. Which for me personally is perfect, since I couldn’t care for a social pet whenever I fall into depressive episodes. It’s also just nice how clean and low maintenance they are. My snake only eats every 2 weeks or so, and poops maybe every 2-4 weeks. If I go on a trip for a few days, she doesn’t even notice that I’m gone. Plus, she’ll live for 20-30 years.

edit: more snake pros I just remembered:

• They just hang around, so no zipping after a hyperactive pet. I find it quite calming.
• They don’t bite or scratch anything in their enclosure, so you don’t have to constantly change out decorative items (you should still rotate them for enrichment)
• Completely silent, except for the occasional fart at night
• Probably can be kept solitary, I’m actually still waiting for the scientific consensus on that. In comparison, having a solitary rat, bunny or guinea pig is just plain unethical because they’re so social.
• They’re trainable! Not to the extent that a dog or a horse is, but you can teach them basic shifting behavior which really helps reduce stress from handling. Lori Torrini is the biggest resource on snake training right now, it’s amazing what she achieves with her own snakes!