Slowly getting there...

[Bogertophis]

... He also stopped caring for massages though he does enjoy them sometimes. He no longer likes to wrap around my neck as much as he doesn't want to choke me. He got a little tight once and I pulled on him a bit to loosen him up, and like a good snake he did loosen up but it seems that since then he is less of a neck snake, which just makes me think he doesn't want to wrap around my neck because he doesn't want to hurt me. He'll still go around my neck but will keep his tail hanging down rather then wrapping...

I enjoyed most of your explanation about the phases your growing BP went thru, but I just want to clarify a few things. Snakes are not "out to get us" because we aren't
in their playbook as prey, but I don't believe they have any sense of whether or not something hurts us, they aren't that aware or empathetic. They often like the warmth
& security of snuggling around our necks, but for reasons only assumed (like they feel like they're slipping) sometimes even the friendliest snakes may tense up, which is
a problem for our breathing & consciousness... (Keep in mind, my cautions are not specific for ball pythons, since keepers of many types may be reading.)

Never "pull" on a snake, because you can easily underestimate your strength and cause serious internal damage to a snake's body without meaning to, and remember
that snakes have no ability to cry out when in pain, & they often do NOT bite in self-defense when they really should. It is for this reason that if you allow your snake to
loop around your neck & shoulders at any time, you need to keep one hand always in the loop, & be prepared to gently un-wrap the snake starting with the tail. This is
harder than it sounds when snakes get to be 5' or 6' & on up, especially when they are constrictors that grip so well, & especially if you don't have much experience or
someone around that can help you. Note, if you have long hair, it can be hard to find a snake's tail to un-wrap it, & snakes will find or enhance any tangles by their intent
to hold on, so a mirror may come in handy. Been there, & learned by doing the wrong thing...

About "massages"- to some of us, that word implies way more pressure than should ever be applied to a snake's body...you don't want to be re-arranging their internal
organs or breaking ribs, & believe it or not, I can remember someone who did harm their snake unintentionally this way, so please go lightly, with gentle petting rather
than "massages".

Valyndris, my post is only meant to clarify what you said, so that others don't get in trouble with their snakes. I've no doubt you're a caring snake owner and that yours
is a happy snake.