Typical situation, I'm sure, but just looking for some reassurance or advice on anything I should be doing. I have a sub adult Hog Island Boa female. She's about 3ft or so. Normally is pretty chill, have only really had her strike around feeding time (in her bin) and once at a camera while getting too close for a glamor shot. She's had a moment before where I believe I startled her while she was in her bin and she announced it with hissing and a couple of strikes at the bin wall. She has recently (within the past week) been fed, shed, and had a sizable poo. A couple of days ago I went to take her out for some stretch time and as soon as the snake hook touched her she was agitated and started hissing. I let her be, as I know they have off days just like the rest of us. Today I was cleaning enclosures and when I went to take her out, the same thing happened. Again, I let her be. She has also been in a dark phase. I don't know if it's proven, but I do feel a correlation between her moods and her color phases. I figured I would wait until she looks a bit lighter and more amicable to try and clean/handle her, but I also feel I might be too superstitious?

Let me know what you guys think or what you would suggest.


The brat in question: