Full Breakdown
RFK Jr. Handles Snakes Barehanded on Dr. Oz’s Patio
5/27/2026, 9:02:31 AM
The Viral Snake-Wrangling Clip
On Tuesday, May 26 2026, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. uploaded a 49-second video to X from the patio of CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz’s Palm Beach, Florida residence. In the clip Kennedy seizes the tails of two black racer snakes, lifts them for the camera and smiles as the reptiles bite toward his fingers. His wife, actress Cheryl Hines, can be heard pleading, “Honey, honey… why?” while Oz asks if the snakes are biting. The snakes are identified as non-venomous black racers.
Kennedy’s History of Wildlife Encounters
The snake clip follows other animal moments. In 2024 Kennedy posted a video of a rattlesnake he caught in his California driveway and a photo of a rescued European starling at Dulles Airport. He also described a 2014 “prank” in which he left a dead bear cub in New York’s Central Park, a 2001 journal note about cutting a road-killed raccoon’s penis, and a 2024 biography that claims he decapitated a beached whale with a chainsaw and strapped the head to his car.
Expert Wildlife Guidance
Black racers are non-venomous but may bite if threatened. Bonnie Keller, former Virginia Herpetological Society board member, said handling snakes by the tail is not advisable, though she noted Kennedy’s training. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission advised the public to keep a wide berth from snakes and admire them from a distance. The Florida Museum of Natural History adds that racers “will readily bite to defend themselves” and that “virtually all bites occur when the snakes are intentionally molested.” National Park Service calls the species harmless if left alone.
Criticism & Opposition
Environmental groups and lawmakers have criticized Kennedy’s wildlife handling. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) questioned him on Capitol Hill about the alleged 2001 raccoon-penis dissection. Critics point to the bear-carcass prank, the whale-head claim, and the snake video as a pattern that could endanger animals and the public. The Department of Health and Human Services has not responded.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on details. While many outlets date the snake footage to May 26 2026, some simply label it “Tuesday.” The snakes’ fate after the video is unreported. Descriptions of the bear-carcass incident range from a “prank” to “deliberate disposal,” and the whale-decapitation claim appears only in a biography, lacking independent verification.
Verbatim Quotes
- “That is not how I would handle the snakes, but I’m a trained professional,” — Bonnie Keller, Herpetologist
- “Give snakes a wide berth and admire them from a distance,” — Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- “Are they biting?” — Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator
- “You’re nuts,” — Female voice in the video
What’s Next
Wildlife officials anticipate renewed calls for the secretary to avoid direct animal handling, and congressional oversight of his past wildlife activities may intensify as the video circulates online.
