Hi all,

I recently acquired a 4' adult ball python through adoption. He seems perfectly healthy, and gorgeous to all outward appearances. However, his previous owner never handled him, outside when she absolutely HAD to, for cage cleaning and the like. She had him for 2 years, and she'd rescued him from a son's friend, so I don't know if he ever handled the poor guy either. Now, when I first met him, I put my hand in the cage for a moment, about 8 inches away from him to let him smell me, and after a few seconds, he struck and got me pretty good. I've had him for a few days, and haven't tried to handle him, as to let him get acclimated to his new environment. He doesn't seem aggressive to the point of striking when I pass his tank, and neither has he hid every time I see him, but he does seem.... Wary. He's also tried to escape his cage at least twice, but been thwarted but the perforated metal sheeting on top of his tank. What should I do? I really want to be able to handle this snake, and have him be reasonably tame, he's too beautiful and majestic to let languish in a tank. I could really use some advice. Thanks in advance to everyone.