How to "tame" my bp?

[Fyre]

I just adopted a male, 5yo ball python from a guy who didn't take very good care of it. Yes, the set-up is perfect and yes, the snake is in good health, but he didn't know the simple things.

For instance, he would put 2 or 3 live mice in the cage with the python and watch him hunt them. I'm going to try to transition him from live to frozen. He did say the snake wouldn't take f/t, but I figured his other advice was so useless I would try anyway. If not, I would be sure to stun or kill the mice before feeding Radi.

But what this post is really about is how he handled him. This guy bought him when he was only as big as a pencil and has had him for really his whole life. He told me he was really tempremental and didn't like to be held, but when he showed me how to pick him up I was appalled!

I think his exact words were "He will bite you, so I just try to be quick and then grab his neck." He then proceeded to snatch the snake by the middle of his tail and yank him from his cage where he was peacefully chilling in the corner. And, of course, the poor thing hissed and lashed around a bit so he grabbed his neck to stop him from squirming. After a few moments he just gave up and dropped him back into the tank again where the terrified creature immediatly darted under a log.

When I picked him up today- I used a technique I learned in a reptile handling class. I slowly lifted up the log he was under, then stroked the thickest part of his body with a paper towel roll a couple of times. When I got no reaction other than the the usual tensing up, I stroked him with one finger. When that received no reaction either, I slowly put my hands under him and lifted him from the tank.

No hissing, no thrashing, no striking.

I wasn't suprised and handled him for about 30 minutes, including picking him up and putting him down to take pictures and letting him climb my body.

But sometimes, if I touch/hold him the wrong way, accidently stroke him from tail to head, or handle him when he doesn't want to he will hiss at me. Of course, I wasn't suprised, and if he hisses I either stop what I was doing and let him relax or (if I just picked him up) put him back in his tank.

My question is- will Radi (rah-dee) get over this when he realizes I am no threat or will he always be this frightened?

Please and Thanks!