is the snake a baby - (about 15 inches or less) an adolescent - (around 2 to 3 feet) or an adult - (3 years old and 3 feet or longer)?
Most of the baby snakes are quite squirmy and "Flighty" as we call it. They have to get used to being handled and get used to you, your touch, smell, etc... They may hide from you or try to get away.
The bigger and older snakes are usually more calm and should be used to you after a few handling sessions.
Remember, to a snake, "we" are predators. Anything that is bigger than a snake and comes down from above it, is viewed by the snake as Trouble. (ie, Foxes, Skunks, Bobcats, Owls, Hawks, all attack snakes by coming down on top of them.)
The more you handle the snake, the quicker it will get used to your touch and smell and it will learn you are not going to hurt it.
My snake actually watches me when I walk into the room, and if I open the cage door, more often than not he will crawl out into my hands. Of course he's 3 years old now and I've had him since he was a baby, so we've had plenty of time to work on our relationship.
So to answer your question, I'd say, if you want to handle your snake, go in after it, and gently grab it. Don't hesitate, don't jerk at it, but do try to be deliberate about it. You have to let the snake know your intentions. If you hesitate or are timid about it, the snake will remember that, and will be confused even more.
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