Just any heavy water dish like ceramic crocks or you can get any of the Exo Terra ones. I use the large Exo Terra for a 5ft Red tail boa and she doesn't move it. She destroys everything else though like pulling down the wires for her RHP, lights and pushing her hide all over but the water dish and her basking rock are the only things she doesn't move. As for handling, just be confident, mnake sure your hands don't smell like rat or mice and don't approach from top or front until you know the snake. Some don't like it, some don't care. Also sometimes they get excited. My Red tail sometimes gets excited when I let her wander on the bed and she moves fast but I just pick her up and shes fine. Sometimes they just like to play.