i find that they feed off your body language and disposition, if your nervous while holding him, he'll be nervous.. i never have any fear when i handle my snakes and ive never been bitten, ever, same goes for your snake, read his body language, if it looks like he doesn't want to be bothered then don't, when i let a friend handle my snakes and they are jittery, the snake gets uncomfortable, just from what i've noticed