"Oh, she warms up pretty quickly, even if she's not much of a conversationalist," he says, stroking her back gently.

"Here," he adds, unweaving her from around his arm and lifting her up, putting her over Daniel's shoulder. He makes sure not to do it too quickly, unwilling to frighten either man or snake. "Let me know when you want me to take her back," he says, grinning a little.