I recently bought 2 for my gf as a surprise bday gift and we can reach in their tank and pull em out no problem. One of them was a lil nervous the 1st week but went away quick. We hold em all the time and they have no problems with it. It really depends on the individual snake. You might get a puppy, you might get a hell hound. People say carpet pythons have a nasty temperament as babies, but out of 12 I've only had 2 that struck at me.