That's what I love about snakes- that many of them watch us back with a curious, questioning look. It doesn't always translate to confidence on their part though. One of my young (nearly 2 year old) rat snakes is great at watching me, but when I actually pick her up, she tries to blast off out of my hands, not calming down very quickly for a snake her age. She's the most nervous one of the 3 sisters, & acts like a racer until I calm her down- she makes me work at it, lol. But I don't give up easily either & I've succeeded in holding her (one time peeking out of my long sleeve while I rubbed her head very lightly for over an hour!). It takes time for most snakes to warm up to handling & figure out that we're "harmless", & a very good feeling when they finally do.BTW, her 2 sisters are very easy to handle- she's the "wild thing" of the group & demands that I work at it. LOL