Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Captures Attention with Snake Encounter at Mehmet Oz's Home

In a recent social media post, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. showcased a peculiar encounter with two black racer snakes at Mehmet Oz's Florida home. The video captures Kennedy's attempts to wrangle the snakes while his wife, Cheryl Hines, expresses concern over their safety. This incident adds to Kennedy's history of unusual wildlife interactions, including a recent bird rescue and past experiences with dead animals. Discover more about this intriguing encounter and Kennedy's unique relationship with wildlife.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2026, 23:27 IST

Kennedy's Unusual Wildlife Encounter

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, recently shared a peculiar wildlife experience on social media, showcasing his interaction with two snakes at Mehmet Oz's residence in Florida. In a video posted on Tuesday, Kennedy is seen attempting to handle a pair of intertwined black racer snakes on Oz's porch in Palm Beach, as the snakes snap at his hands. Oz can be heard commenting on the situation, noting, “Well, they were having sex,” while Kennedy tries to separate them.

Initially, Kennedy referred to the snakes as “black snakes,” which led his wife, actress Cheryl Hines, to mistakenly think they were dangerous cottonmouths, commonly known as “black moccasins.” Hines exclaimed, “Moccasins! Those are dangerous!” before Kennedy reassured her, stating, “No, they’re not moccasins.” As the snakes bit him, Oz inquired, “Are they biting?” to which Kennedy confirmed, while Hines urged him from behind the camera, “Okay, honey, let them go. Bobby! Bobby, Bobby, please.”

According to the Florida Museum of Natural History, North American racers are prevalent in Florida and are nonvenomous. Although they are not harmful to humans or pets, they may bite if they feel threatened or are handled. The museum emphasizes that these snakes typically avoid human interaction and will only strike in self-defense.

Kennedy's History with Wildlife

This snake incident adds to Kennedy's collection of unusual wildlife encounters. Earlier this month, he shared a photo of himself holding a live bird at Washington Dulles Airport, referring to it as a “starling rescue.” Over the years, he has also recounted experiences such as transporting deceased animals in his family minivan and removing a whale carcass head that washed ashore near the Kennedy family estate in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. A resurfaced image from 2024 showing Kennedy with a dead bear carcass in Central Park also garnered significant online attention.