Normal Breathing? / OK Handling?

[Craiga 01453]

The video doesn't show an animal that is overly stressed, but the breathing is a little heavier than typical, relaxed BP breathing.

I agree with what KayLynn said above regarding the tongue-flicking. Slow, curious, tongue flicks are normal, but once the flicks become a little more frequent and erratic it is a sign of stress.

I also agree with her about the handling and acclimating. It is advised to let a new snake, especially a juvenile, acclimate to it's new home before doing much handling. I personally advise to let the animal get 3 consecutive meals without a refusal before doing any regular handling. Then start slow. Maybe 10 minutes twice a week, increased to 15 minutes twice a week. Then it becomes up to the individual keeper determining what the animal is comfortable with.

Sounds like your BP is a pretty chill example, especially if he doesn't seem head shy at all. However, I would still give the snake time to acclimate. Husbandry issues are public enemy number one when it comes to food refusals, and stress from insecurity and handling are a close second. In many cases, a juvenile snake will eat it's first few meal offerings, primarily because they are hungry from being maintenance fed prior to being sold, and then once they aren't so hungry will refuse due to husbandry or stress issues.

In the big picture, you've got 30 years to hang out with your snake. So waiting a few weeks with the animal's stress and health as top priority is advised.