I'm pretty sure that's normal for babies. Heck even carpets and balls can be grumpy when young. I would tell your friend to start handling them now though, so they can maybe calm down a bit. I had an Amazon around four feet or so and he was hands down the grumpiest snake I've ever seen. Of course, his previous owners insisted that he had to be fed live mice and that you COULD NOT WATCH HIM EAT, you had to leave the room. So I really doubt he was raised properly.