Hi, everyone.

I have a ball python that was originally my brother's. I'd say he is probably about 3 years old now (I have no record of when he was born and I've never asked for it from my brother). My brother relocated back to England last year and I kept the snake.

I've not really handled him before because I was scared he might bite, despite having grown up with snakes most of my life. I know my brother also didn't handle him much when he had him - he did when he first got him, but I suppose the "novelty" wore off for him...

I've slowly been introducing us to each other and we're getting more comfortable around one and other. I have his viv on my desk, from which I work, so I open his viv and he'll happily come out, wrap around my arm or go into my T-shirt (I assume for warmth), or he'll just slither around my desk a bit.

My concern is that recently, after putting him back in his viv, he has been hiding under his substrate. He moved his hides out of the way and goes under the substrate. My dad (who has more experience with snakes than I do) has said he doesn't look like he's about to shed, though the top of his head is looking a little duller these last few days.

Is this anything I should be concerned about? Could it be stress from being handled more lately? To be honest, I'm no expert and don't know much, I have a lot to learn. Maybe this is only that I've noticed it recently because his viv has been moved onto my desk, but I've never noticed him doing this before. It appears to be since he is being handled more.

Any help of advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance, and happy new year!