This is great! Very interesting to see everybody's view on this subject. I have a four month year old Caramel Albino Ball Python. When I first got her, she was freaked out of me but not too shy when being handled. After about three months of having Gozer, she is still shy when I look at her inside the enclosure. When I open up the tank, she curls up and is in the striking position. I always rub her before I pick her up and she calms down. For about a minute, she is tense but is smelling the surrounding area, but after that, she relaxes and is very docile and inquisitive.

As the weeks passed by, she is becoming less frightened of me so I know she does not associate my scent with being a predator. Gozer is very sweet and seems like a happy snake in her new home. I believe that her evolving personality is based on familiarity of my scent and realizing that I will not harm her. Sad to say, but I don't think that she actually shows affection towards me: just trust.

Keep the stories coming! I love logging back in and reading what ball python enthusiast's thoughts are on this matter.

Cheers,
Todd