Snake Identification and Safety Workshop for Silk Grass Farms
By Heston Castillo
On February 25, 2026, Jacob Marlin of BFREE facilitated a Snake Identification, Handling, Safety and Transport Workshop for senior staff at Silk Grass Farms. Due to my interest and growing experience with reptiles, I had the honor of participating in the workshop as the assistant facilitator.
Heston Castillo is featured on the far right of this photo.
Approximately eight senior farm and ranger staff members from the Silk Grass Farms team participated in the day-long training. The workshop was structured for staff most likely to encounter snakes during their time on the farm or in the forest and was tailored to meet their specific needs and work environment. The training was divided into two main sessions: classroom learning and hands-on practice. During the classroom session, the primary goal was to provide informative guidance so participants could identify snake species in their area and understand why they may be present. This session encouraged active discussion, allowing participants to ask questions and engage directly with both facilitators. Following the presentation and a short break, participants were given a quiz to determine the understanding of the material. The results indicated that participants were engaged and learning the content.
Participation in the handling exercise was optional. However, all attendees chose to participate so that they could learn techniques that were safe for both the person and the snake. By the end of the session, nearly all participants felt more confident and were able to repeat the drills with little instruction. At the close of the day, participants were presented with a Certificate of Completion as well as a laminated BFREE Snake Identification card to use for future reference.
After lunch, the workshop transitioned into the second session, which included practical training on handling and safety. Both instructors demonstrated proper handling techniques for non-venomous snakes, clearly outlining best practices. The group was introduced to three non-venomous snakes: boa constrictor, tropical king snake, and a green vine snake, and had the opportunity to learn to handle them for safe removal from a farm or public area when needed.
