Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Snake Handling Video Sparks Conversation

On Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared another video featuring his encounters with snakes, following some concerns that had emerged on social media about his previous interactions with two black racer snakes.

In his latest Instagram post, he wrote, “In response to many comments about venomous snakes, this video shows how Cheryl and I recently handled a rattlesnake rescue.” The video opens with Kennedy Jr. in his home office, where he is alerted about a snake on his driveway.

“Wait a minute, I’ll be right back,” he said, grabbing a bucket and a net before heading outside. As he ventures out, those nearby react with surprise.

Kennedy Jr. carefully picks up the rattlesnake, securing it in a bucket, and explains to the camera, “His fangs are there. I don’t want to touch them. This is a beautiful snake. This is a western diamondback. You can tell by these rings at the end of its tail.” He even asks his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, to get him a pillowcase for the snake before relocating it back to the wild.

This recent post seems to be a direct answer to the criticism that surfaced from an earlier snake video shared by Kennedy Jr. on X. In that footage, he was seen in Dr. Mehmet Oz’s backyard attempting to catch two black North American racer snakes, all while appearing quite frightened.

“Honey, honey…why?” Hines shouted as she watched him approach the snake. In a swift move, Kennedy Jr. lunged at the reptiles, ultimately managing to hold both by their tails as they bit him repeatedly on his hands.

“It’s a black snake, it’s biting me,” Kennedy Jr. remarked with a grin, even as the snake continued to dart at Hines’ hand, prompting her to plead, “Bobby, please! Bobby, Bobby, please.” At one point, she called him “crazy.” Later, Kennedy Jr. captioned a video with “Cheryl cheers on eliminating two black racers from Dr. Oz’s patio.”

The Florida Museum of Natural History indicates that black racer snakes are nonvenomous and generally pose no threat to humans, although they may bite when they feel threatened.

Interestingly, while Wednesday’s video showcased Kennedy Jr. handling a venomous rattlesnake, some viewers expressed concern about the risks involved, questioning if he was being overly reckless. It’s definitely a thought-provoking scenario, reflecting on the kind of risks people might take when interacting with wildlife.