hi, most snakes can be jumpy at times, esp any time around shedding and feeding times, best time to handle is 2 days after food then handle again the next day and leave til after next feed, a couple of ours love being handles and always at the front of the tank others just hide away, most do prefer to be handled at night time , when u see the royal active just sit with the tank open and wait for him/her to come out, royals can be just as nosy as corns lol, good luck