"Look but don't touch" animals?

[wolftrap]

I am curious about something I've read on the forum in a few different threads. When discussing overly aggressive or defensive animals, some people say that even though they've worked with their animals their snake has become a "look but don't touch" sort of pet, where they limit handling because the animal is clearly not cut out for human interaction. However, others say that if you work with an animal enough at a patient, respectful speed, all animals can become pets that you can eventually handle.


I ask because my female BP isn't a defensive animal, but she definitely flees whenever I approach for handling/water changes/enclosure maintenance. I understand that I'm terrifying to such a small noodle, and it doesn't help that I have a top-opening enclosure that I'm sure makes me seem like a bird swooping in for the kill. I open the lid as gently as possible, and I make sure that I tap gently on her hide or stroke her mid-section a few times to alert her to my presence before I attempt to pick her up. She has had three successful meals from me, and it's been 48 hrs from her last meal before I attempted to handle her. Heat gradient is 82 -> 90, humidity is at 70-80% (because it's rainy in TX), dry aspen substrate in a 10 gallon enclosure, two similar sized hides on each end, plenty of clean water.

All of this to say, should I pursue her when she flees from my hand, or should I allow her to hide? What's the chance of my BP being a "look but don't touch" kinda girl? I also totally don't mind not handling her, I just want to make sure giving her space isn't going to be detrimental to her disposition as an adult.

Thanks in advance!