more handling questions

[Gaius Marius]

Ive begun handling my python the last few days. He seems pretty docile and comfortable. I have been pretty comfortable handling him too until he starts going up my arm. I don’t know how to take him into my other hand without spooking him. Im trying to learn his mannerisms and figure out when if at all he is getting agitated. The other day I was holding it and it started up my arm, no biggie, until it started rubbing its head against my arm like I saw it do with its mouse. I got really nervous and put him back in his cage. He may have smelled something on my arm cuz his tongue was flickering. I was afraid he was gonna bite, not from fear but maybe hunger or smell of prey. Any suggestions on handling him better so I don’t freak out and make it nervous?

[frankykeno]

Snakes tongues flick all the time reading their environment, not just when they are preparing to strike at something. Just be gentle with you snake, make your movements slow and easy and don't grab at your near his head as some BP's are quite head shy (most of ours do eventually seem to get used to a gentle, slow stroke under their neck). Don't hover over him as you may appear to be a predator to him. If he startles just be calm, they do that a lot especially when they are young.

[Grim91Z]

Just be gentle. Don't approach its head too fast or make sudden movements. And don't mind the tongue flicks or head rubbing, he's just trying to check out the surroundings.