Ball python scared of me

[Pgoodman]

I feel like my ball python is afraid of me. He is a little over one year old, and this is my first snake. When I handle he’s constantly trying to get away from me and every time I move near him he tenses up and moves his head. He’s not aggressive but he isn’t very friendly or handleable. I’ve read the best way to train them is just by taking them out and handling them every two days but I feel like when i do this it just makes him more stressed and afraid of me for the next time i take him out. Any advice?

[Calla]

I have observed with mine (first time snake owner) if I am nervous or scared around mine, he acts exactly like how you describe your's is acting but if I am calm, confident and move slowly, he is a very "happy" snake that will explore.

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[Mirakuru]

How long have you had him? He could still be settling in and may be stressed. You know your intentions but he doesn't yet, so you're a really scary predator to him right now.
You should also try not lifting his hide and instead waiting until he's out and about to handle. That's their safe space so it must be freaky to have it suddenly lifted off them. Not assuming you're doing this, just throwing it out there.

Also, a year old is still pretty young so he's probably just shy and skittish still. Or it could just be who he is!

[Pgoodman]

I’ve had him for 6 months, and yes I do lift his hides, but that’s because I don’t normally see him out and about except late at night

[Bogertophis]

All snakes, whether captive-bred or wild-caught, are wild animals & are not really "trainable"...but they can & do learn, & may have either a positive or a negative
association with their owner-handler. But from the beginning, their wild instincts are that anything that picks them up is a predator that's going to eat them, so yes,
OF COURSE he's afraid of you. Don't take it personal, just work on changing his opinion.

Keep in mind that we're not actually seeing you, & how you handle your snake...you're making us guess.

What's his appetite like? Does he eat regularly for you? (if not, handling should wait entirely until he's eating reliably, as that's more important)

When you approach & pick him up from his cage, do you give him time to recognize you first? Snakes rely on scent & touch, NOT vision. We're a big scary blur
that is probably a predator in their minds, until they get a chance to recognize us by scent & touch. So maybe you're rushing him, & getting off to a bad start?
Never scoop him up quickly out of his cage- gently touch him first so he has time to recognize you. I often blow air across my hand also, or dangle my long hair
to where the snake can get my scent...this not only helps them identify me but helps prevent any confusion about incoming prey. Most bites are preventable.

How long do you handle him for? I find many ppl think & also repeat that it's best to handle a snake for 5-10 minutes & then put him back. I disagree, as long as
the snake will not be over-heated by longer handling, & BPs need more warmth than say a corn snake, so they are perfect for longer handling. The initial pick-up
IS SCARY to a snake...imagine yourself being hoisted up up & away out of your secure home by a giant & feeling a total loss of control...do you think YOU'D like it?
I'm quite sure I wouldn't... AND, if all you do is handle for a short time, your snake has no time to relax from the stress of this approach.

What makes a snake feel safe? Slower, gentle touch...when WE relax, our snakes often do too. Do they read our feelings? I doubt it...all I know is that it works.
I've also noticed that many snakes get mellow if I'm swaying slightly, walking around or slightly rocking like in a hammock* or in a rocker-recliner. Why? I dunno
...but it works. Snakes avoid open spaces, that's where predators can get them...so holding a snake at arm's length is far scarier than being cuddled up next to us,
& given time to relax, they learn our scent and touch & to feel safe with us. (*be VERY careful not to sit in a rope-hammock with a snake, they get stuck quickly in
the holes!)

It's not about keeping a schedule of handling every 2 days, in fact that may be making him more afraid. Longer sessions & less frequent, so he can really relax &
feel safe in his cage too might help him relax when you do handle him.

Empathy...you can't have "too much" of this when you work with animals of any kind. Some of us start with more than others, but practice helps.

[Moose84]

I’ve had him for 6 months, and yes I do lift his hides, but that’s because I don’t normally see him out and about except late at night

Most snakes, bps in general are much more comfortable left alone. The younger they are the more this applies. He will get used to you but try to limit your handling to a 2-3 times a week at most. Try your best to apply that. If you are bugging him constantly and lifting his hide when it’s conveniet for you it will not get a whole lot better unfortunately.