"They're totally harmless," Kennedy said in the video, before grabbing the snakes by the tails.
Event
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. health secretary, shared a video on his social media accounts showing himself removing two non-venomous black racer snakes from the patio of Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator. The video captures Kennedy grabbing the snakes by the tails while Oz asks questions and Kennedy's wife, actress Cheryl Hines, expresses concern.
Reactions
Herpetologists commented on the handling. Bonnie Keller, a herpetologist and former board member of the Virginia Herpetological Society, stated that while the snakes are largely harmless to humans, grabbing them by the tail can cause spinal injuries.
Sean McKnight, director of programs at the Rattlesnake Conservancy, advised minimizing handling duration to reduce stress to animals.
Background
Kennedy has a history of posting interactions with wildlife. In 2024, he posted a video capturing a rattlesnake by hand. He has also admitted to placing a bear carcass in New York's Central Park as a prank in 2014, stating he had been picking up roadkill to feed his falcons.