New User Question - Ball as 1st Snake for Child

[Bogertophis]

@ Boogertophis - Can you link me to some pics of your 3 caramels? I'm curious what to expect in a few years. Does it take roughly that long?...
I also need to get her something to climb on. Currently the only vertical surface is a temp/humidity gauge and she seems to hang out on top of it when she's out cruising. Anything you all recommend?

As expected, she can really move quickly when she wants to. Although handling has been kept to a minimum, she does mellow out after a couple minutes already. She still wants to move, but slows down and takes kindly to being redirected. So far my son has been very patient with wanting to handle her. He's content to let her slither over his hand for a minute and just watch her cruise the cage around dusk each day.

Sorry, but no I can't, mainly because I never take photos, lol....(I promise I'm NOT from another planet). Anyway, yellow usually comes in around a year old, hang in there.
When (in the past) I've bred or bought hatchling corns, it was usually the drabbest ones that ended up looking the best. All you can do is go by the "parents" & wait...

A few more suggestions: a hatchling corn may be too shy for a while to climb on ('clean') branches, but you can include them so she'll get used to them being there. If you use driftwood, make sure there are no holes your snake can get stuck in (when she grows & you've forgotten they're there) or just plug them now. Snakes will use man-made things to climb on too, like the ladders they sell for birds. You can also make your own-it's a good idea to coat wood with non-toxic no-VOC waterproofing so the wood doesn't absorb feces & germs, & are easier to clean off.

As far as handling: hatchling rat-or-corn snakes are afraid of us & the world...they're tiny & preyed upon in nature. One thing I like to do is gently cup them in my closed hands-they learn to calm down, feeling "safe" in a "cave"...then let them look out*. Always handle them over a safe surface should they fall, so they aren't hurt. I prefer my bed, since most chairs & couches may have tiny holes between the cushions. I've never had to tear apart any upholstered furniture to retrieve a snake, but many others have...

*I've actually had corn snakes that learned to feel so safe in my cupped hands that they happily ate f/t pinkies from my fingers while there. I got away from that as they grew bigger, but you really can see & help their personality if you're patient.