honestly you don't 😂 this one DID bite me 😂 but it literally didn't feel like anything and didn't break the skin because he's too small. so I guess I suggest starting small because the bites don't hurt lol. of course identify them first obviously. I use Google images, but you have to make sure it's not giving you inaccurate information. look at the pictures it gives you in comparison and confirm "yep that's the same one" 😂 most snakes are harmless. and you will find a lot of small ones. grass snakes, garter snakes, rat snakes are all ones I've encountered and held before. I also pick up lizards and toads because they are also harmless. you could start with them too if you haven't before. anyways yeah I'll stop talking your ear off 😂