Ball python still seems scared/stressed around me

[Eric Alan]

I know I don't have a puppy but I have handled plenty of other ball pythons that have been very relaxed while I handled them.

I get the feeling that I may have inadvertently offended you. That was not my intention at all - quite the opposite actually. All I meant to do was to put a ball python's natural behavior in perspective. They're not exactly what I would call "affectionate" in the way that puppies are known to be. So many times new owners set the bar to high thinking they've just acquired a new "lap pet" and that's just not the case most of the time. That's the light bulb moment I was going for. Nothing more - nothing less.

Maybe I should have said just give it time and good luck?