Beans is being stubborn, or just picky.

[Bogertophis]

also, something odd, you know how cat's and dogs will have that "one spot" that they love being touched or scratched or whatever. I think Beans developed a spot, sometimes I'll lightly pat him on the head and he'll just sit there in almost a "scoping" position, he won't move out of the way, he won't flatten down, he'll just let me do it, he also let's me pet his chin. sometimes he'll even move into the "my body is my pillow" formation afterwards, then he'll accept even more head pats and chin pets. could this just be enjoying it or something else?

It's hard to say if Beans likes it or just doesn't hate it enough to move away, lol. But off-hand, I think most likely it relaxes him.

One of my 2 year old FL rat snakes (the really hyper & feisty one of the 3 sisters) discovered the joy of a warm pocket last night. I noticed she was out & about in her home, so I decided it was time for another visit with me. She's about 3 1/2' long now, & when I first pick her up, she thrashes some & tries to fly out of my hands. I have to be very patient with her- a light touch of control keeps her from nipping until she settles down. I have noticed for many years that many snakes get mellow when you do a slight swaying motion- maybe it relaxes them, maybe it's a distraction, who knows? but sitting in a hammock with them, or a rocker or swivel chair, helps- and that was my first intention last evening.

But once I calmed Mirikel down, I then showed her the deep hip pocket on my shirt: she slid in, & as her tail tip was about to disappear, out came her little face, looking at me, sort of puzzled. Once she relaxed more, I held my hand over her, for warmth felt by her thru the knit fabric, & my thumb to shade her eyes. I kept petting her very lightly thru the material, & she sat there happily for well over an hour, watching me & apparently comfortable. She only came out when I nudged her some, & hopefully she'll be learning to relax better, the more we do this. (BTW, her 2 sisters are very calm & easy to handle- she's the odd one.)

My point is: whatever works!