Strange behavior when handled?

I'm very new to snakes and I'm just now beginning to handle my 2 month old ball python in moderation (I've only had him for about 2 weeks) - He's very, very chill as far as I can tell and hasn't exhibited many signs of stress - He's only hissed at me once, when I went to remove him from his "travel box" after I moved him from my parents home (near the breeder) and my house.

I'm not scared to be bit - I own a lovebird who has really desensitized me to being bitten, chewed on, pecked, and other wise gnawed on, but I am scared of doing something potentially "traumatic" for the little guy - I'm so new to snakes, I don't want to make some stupid mistake. Honestly, I think I'm way more stressed out than he is.

However, when I picked him up tonight, I noticed some weird behavior - at least, I think it's weird, but it could be totally normal. As he was winding around on my hand, he started butting his head against my hands, almost like he was trying to itch his face - but as far as I can tell he's not in any stage of shedding (and most definitely not in blue). It was almost the sort of behavior I'd kind of expect from a cat rubbing it's cheeks against someone. He never opened his mouth or anything, so, I didn't think this was a threatening sort of gesture, I was just worried that it could have some kind of health implication.

I have a Normal BP about 6 months old and he still loves to play bracelet just like that so I think its pretty normal behavior:)

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Originally Posted by rustypolished

I'm very new to snakes and I'm just now beginning to handle my 2 month old ball python in moderation (I've only had him for about 2 weeks) - He's very, very chill as far as I can tell and hasn't exhibited many signs of stress - He's only hissed at me once, when I went to remove him from his "travel box" after I moved him from my parents home (near the breeder) and my house.

I'm not scared to be bit - I own a lovebird who has really desensitized me to being bitten, chewed on, pecked, and other wise gnawed on, but I am scared of doing something potentially "traumatic" for the little guy - I'm so new to snakes, I don't want to make some stupid mistake. Honestly, I think I'm way more stressed out than he is.

However, when I picked him up tonight, I noticed some weird behavior - at least, I think it's weird, but it could be totally normal. As he was winding around on my hand, he started butting his head against my hands, almost like he was trying to itch his face - but as far as I can tell he's not in any stage of shedding (and most definitely not in blue). It was almost the sort of behavior I'd kind of expect from a cat rubbing it's cheeks against someone. He never opened his mouth or anything, so, I didn't think this was a threatening sort of gesture, I was just worried that it could have some kind of health implication.

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it is normal for them to wrap around your arm,finger,hands they are just getting a good grip so the feel more secure and when it is rubbing into your hand it most likely trying to burrow itself. and mine both will rub their cheeks up against my arm,fingers,hand when they are slithering around. It is normal behavior they dont have arms to hold on.