Handling a new ball python and sand boa...someone with experience help?

[kenmac86]

i have a male ball python that ive housed in a temporary ten gallon for about 4 weeks now.hes been eating an average of 1 fuzzy mouse a week and once ate 2.I havent handled him since I got him (because I heard they need to be undisturbed when placed in a new setting so they can feel safe eating asap...btw hes only a few months old and maybe 20 inches long)but tonight as I used the tongs to take out uneaten food he actually snapped at me.Im new and sort of chicken when it comes to approaching him but was wondering if there was any easy way to calm the animal down...I mean I've never owned snakes up until about now and figured that I'd like to get over the fear and own a new type of reptile other than lizards.H'es never spazzed like that before but I do feed him by placing a f/t mouse on a tupperware lid in his enclosure by his hide.
As for the sand boa she's a baby and an awesome little animal.I just acquired her the other day from a reputable pet store so it'll probably take a week for her to settle in and whatnot but shes also a little skittish at times.
I have a high pain tolerance but something about the ball python striking made me jump lol.Ive never antagonized them in any way but was curious to know if anyone has had success with sand boas and ball pythons in regards to keeping them happy or any handling tips for the first time.
Thank you for any and all input

[JLC]

Fuzzy mice are way too small for a ball python that is a few months old. He could easily take a small adult mouse or a fuzzy rat. More food will probably help calm him down some, to start with.

Beyond that, you have to understand that snakes, especially baby snakes, strike when they're scared. To him, you're a giant, warm-blooded predator. He's just trying to scare you away.

You don't even need a high pain tolerance for these guys. The bites don't hurt. At worst, it's a very quick needle-stick sort of pain and gone as fast as it came. They can certainly startle you, and there's nothing wrong with that. You just have to remind yourself that it's ok to be startled.

Imagine yourself staying calm and collected no matter what happens...and keep doing that until you've convinced yourself that the strike and the bite is really no big deal at all. Whatever you do, don't turn it into some big drama in your head. Looking at it that way will never help.

[Kaidregon]

Well, the bp is going to be bigger than the sand boa, so I understand the bp strike startling you more, as JLC said, just stay calm...it's not going to eat you

Pay close attention to your snakes attitude, if they look adgitated, its better to leave them alone then try to handle them.

[Slim]

If you do a quick search on the word 'handling' I think you'll find some helpful discussion that will show you that you're not alone in being a little jumpy as a new owner...you'll also find that your BP is not alone in being a little jumpy as a new pet.