Welcome to the forum Rachel!

We didn't handle ours much until they had eaten a few times for us either, and especially hands off for 24-48 hours after they eat always. Once the snakes were settled in and eating regularily we just started short handling sessions each evening after dusk. I think at first it was only a few minutes each time and then each week or so we'd increase it a bit more as long as the snakes were not obviously stressed or fighting to escape or hiding in a ball.

When we open their enclosures we just gently stroke them partway down their backs to let them know a lift is about to happen. Now that they are used to being handled sometimes they will hang around peering out the tub. I sometimes wonder if they are waiting to get let out LOL (or they just hope a mouse or rat might wander by!)

So far we've never been bitten and only hissed at once when Keena was heavily in shed (who wouldn't be in a mood). We're very lucky that neither of ours is very headshy though they do not like sudden movements directly at the side of their heads, but do seem to like chin rubs. I think if you just take it slowly and consistently, it will likely be a great experience for you and one your snake will not mind at all.


~~Joanna~~