2 different behaviors. Remember one thing, snakes look the same when asleep and awake, they do not have eyelids to shut. A snake can also sense heat when asleep and wake up striking. Always come in from behind the snake and rub its back firmly. Every ball I have will "ripple" when I rub their backs, almost like it tickles them,lol. When I know they don't want to be messed with is when they raise up and stay that way, very stiff. Most of the time I goahead and pick them up, unless they are close to shed, and they do pretty good.

www.fbballpythons.com