Quote Originally Posted by CakeLike View Post
No I do it only during the day. When he's out it's too risky since he is more alert then.
But he always wakes up when I open the cage and then he is scared again. I lift up his hide carefully and if he doesn't follow my hand too close for comfort I gently graze his flank to let him know I am there and then I pick him up in the middle without waiting.
He just gets very lively once he's on my hands.
Personally, I prefer not to wake up a snake to handle. Sure, they might be more groggy but it's a LOT scarier to be awakened suddenly. If you've ever been suddenly awakened to a stranger standing next to your bed, you'd know what I mean, & why it's not a good idea for the snake.

As far as your snake getting "very lively" once he's in your hands, that's just his instinctive reaction to being caught & restrained by a large predator & thinking he's about to be your dinner. Maybe you're holding him a little too tightly? I'm not saying to let him fall, but just keep a softer touch- hands on his mid-body, & not holding his neck, or touching his tail. That's another reason it's best to take your time- sit down someplace soft, & relax while handling your snake- if you're tense, how can you expect him NOT to be?