A video of Robert F. Kennedy Jnr wrangling two snakes bare-handed captured the internet’s fascination on Tuesday, the latest animal encounter the US health secretary has shared publicly that has sparked intrigue and in some cases concern.

Kennedy shared the clip of himself grabbing the tails of the non-venomous black racer snakes on his personal social media accounts, noting in the caption that he was removing them from the patio of Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.

An avid outdoorsman, Kennedy has posted numerous photos and videos over the years of himself interacting with wild animals. He has also shared tales of such interactions, including admitting once planting a bear carcass in New York’s Central Park as a prank.

Internet users reacted with joy, incredulity and outcry at Kennedy’s latest clip, which shows the snakes biting in the direction of his fingers as Oz asks questions about the snakes.

Kennedy’s wife, actress Cheryl Hines, can be heard saying “Why?” and telling her husband to let them go.

Herpetologists said the species in the clip is largely harmless to humans, even if it bites.