Black racers have different personalities. We have caught wild ones around our yard for years. I have been bitten only by one five footer- viciously bitten- until my hand was bleeding profusely- but my 2 year old was smacking it with her stuffed animal when I was holding it- didn't help calm it down. We released it. I have since caught several more and while they posture to attack, I find the males more aggressive than the females. We have one now we caught by our pool deck. My 8 year old daughter caught it. It was a bit nervous at first but once it figured out we weren't going to eat it, it calmed down and we all handle it. I have never kept a snake for a pet, but I guess it wouldn't be harmful. They are not poisonous- however if bitten you should treat the wound to avoid bacteria from the bite getting into your body. They are really cool snakes.
