I've had my guy for almost two weeks. If I look in the tank and he's cruising around looking for an out then I open the tank and wait for him to start coming out then I extend an arm and let him slither on up. He hangs out on my shoulder. Sometimes he rests on my head. Sometimes he likes to check out the room. Sometimes when I go to put him back in the tank he doesn't want to go back in. I might be wrong but I find it hard to believe that he doesn't like to be picked up. He's full grown and the breeder that I got him from told me that he is exceptionally friendly. It may be true that we project human feelings on them to make ourselves feel that they want to be held for warmth, exercise, or comfort. Since I cannot be sure I introduce choice into the equation. If he wants out I let him out. If he doesn't want back in then I keep him out for a little while longer. So far I don't see any stress in him so I'll continue this method as long as he seems cool with it.