So several months ago my girlfriend adopted an adult female ball python from the Reptile Humane Society. I was interning at the shelter at the time and handled the snakes quite a few times over several weeks before we adopted her. Even though she wasn't handled often at the shelter (they have so many animals to care for that they can't spend a lot of time handling each one) she was extremely docile, curious, and calm.

Then about a month ago she bit me. Before I give the details, I would just like to say that I know this was entirely my fault. Usually before I take the snake out I reach in with a snake hook and rub/gently prod her so she knows it isn't feeding time. However this time when I opened her cage she immediately came shooting out, swinging her head back and forth looking for food (usually she stays curled up in her hide). I was startled so I grabbed the feeding tongs instead of the snake hook to push her back in (obviously this made the situation worse because the tongs smelled like mouse; I wasn't thinking). I thought if I touched her she would realize it wasn't feeding time, but when I reached around to grab her lower body she turned and bit my hand. It wasn't a very bad bite and she let go immediately.

After cleaning my wound I was able to handle her normally and she acted fine. Then after another two days I went in to take her out and she came flying at me as soon as I lifted up her hide. She struck at my hand and nicked me again. No hissing or warning of any kind, so I think it was hunger-motivated rather than aggression/fear motivated (feeding day was the next day).

Lately she has been acting much hungrier than usual, often searching the cage for food only a few days after a big meal. Some people on another forum suggested that we should move her to rats so we went from feeding her 4 large mice once a week to feeding her 1 medium rat once a week. She is still acting hungrier than usual, but I've been able to handle her normally without any issues after using snake tongs and a hook to take her out of the cage (this is more for my benefit than hers as I'm still a little nervous after having a big snake mouth flying at my face).

Is she just extra hungry because of the time of year? Should we just avoid handling her when she seems to be in this extra hungry state or is it fine as long as we hook train her properly and make sure she isn't in predatory mode when we take her out? We have started feeding from a different opening than we take her out for handling to try and lessen the chance of her flying at the door again.

Also I would appreciate any advice for getting over the nervousness after being bitten by a snake. The bite wasn't bad at all and logically I know that she is a sweet snake and doesn't want to hurt me. However it was my first time being bit and the anticipation of a strike makes me jumpy when holding her even when she isn't showing any signs of aggression (even though I am not afraid of other snakes at all, have even handled hots, and I desperately don't WANT to be nervous). Is it just a "time will heal all wounds" kind of thing?

Thanks in advance!