Handling wise I would say beginner snake. Care wise I would say not. Not because they are hard to care for but because of human expectations. Trying to turn a ball into a display animal often does not work out well for the snake. Expecting the animal to eat every time you feed it causes often undue concern among new keepers. Many new owners cannot except that the animal "likes" to be in confined spaces. Many cannot except pretty is not better. I use junk for hides, paper towels for substrate and hefty tubs for housing. It is by no means pretty, but my animals are clean and thriving. I imagine that this is not what most new snake keepers envision when they buy their first snake and create their own headaches by trying to create a home for the animal that they would like instead of a home the animal does well in.