It's a static prop.

Have your snake prop in the scene and create several magnets, manipulating them so that the snakes form is as desired. Re-parent the magnets to the universe. Translate the snake to the edge of the frame or however you want it to traverse the scene. On the final key frame translate the snake prop through the magnets. Here it's just a simple z translation. The zones are only relevant to the set up of the deformations of your choice. It's important you re-parent the magnets to the universe...