With two hands.. very loosely. Just let the snake do what it wants. My womas like to wrap around my arms and usually make their way up as high as they can. My favorite boy usually ends up with his head resting on my head. :facepalm: As long as you are evenly supporting the snakes weight there should be no problem. Also avoid touching a new snakes head or tail tip... sometimes they are sensitive and get a littler jerky when you touch them in those areas. If he is not crawling around try to keep him somewhat level and support in his front and rear end. My big black heads pretty much need to go instantly around my neck in order for me to support them or else I am holding their weigh all awkward and I can tell they really don't like it much.... So I put the middle on there body on my neck and let the rest lay on my arms... and again they will move around and wrap all weird around my body but eh thats what snakes do.
I also do not see why everybody is commenting on the size of the snake the OP wants. The larger the species, the calmer and more placid they are. It's not like she wants a snake that will not be manageable and handleable by one person. I understand a snake that requires multiple handlers at once not being a good beginner snake, but a costal is manageable. As long as she has done her research, has the space to house the snake and has the money for food and heat supply I don't see the problem. I would much rather have a large snake I want to keep forever, than a smaller "good beginner" snake I really didn't like much, that I just got for the experience... that would probably end up for sale soon after I got bored with it.
If you are considering other species - get what you want. BUT do hours of research first because aside from looks every species has its pros and cons. Also most species care differs to a degree. Take into consideration what lengths you are willing to go to, or what adult size vivs you want. If you can't house a big viv cut out the big species from the start.... if you don't have a lot of height for a cage cut out arboreal snakes. If you are going to be busy keep a easy keeper. Some snakes require constant attention to their humidity levels. Some snakes are prone to be picky eaters... are you willing to try a variety of food or possibly need to assist feed in the future? Some snakes just poop an annoying amount! All these are big aspect new snake owners over look... okay maybe not the pooping part but hey.
For me the only two species I keep are Womas and BHPs. They are my absolute favorite, and they happen to be extremely easy keepers however I would have been willing to go to any length to keep them because I am in love with their beauty, size and quirky personalities. Yes snakes have personalities, and in my opinion the Womas and Black Heads have the biggest personalities. Again, that is something else to consider. Do you want a active snake, a chill snake that will hang out with you on the couch, or a snake mostly for looking at? Some snakes are known to be nippy, some are known to be aggressive eaters, some seem a lot smarter than others. I love my Aspidites because they seem to always want out, and they are always up and moving around. If they see me they come to the opening of their vivs and "beg" to get out. They will rub their noses along the sliding door and follow me as a I walk by. Once they are out the genuinely enough being held. They love it when I carry them around they they get to smell new things and go exploring. They also do weird little things like they bob their head up and down when they are "hunting" and they wag their tails when they are excited to get fed.
I pretty much think the best first snake ever is a woma, but thats just my opnion. They are easy to care for, not picky eaters, very forgiving with husbandry, they are active when in their homes and very calm and placid when out. They are stunning to look at and just overall fun snakes. Again though get what you want and to a degree don't let price influence you because you will end up spending a lot of money on caging, heating and most of all food so you might as well invest that into a snake you love even if you have to save up for a while.
Also Womas are very affordable and stay at a moderate size....
) to let me use one of our old fridges that still work.
