He just hissed at me for the first time ever.

So about 10 minutes ago I went in and tried to pick him up, and after I picked up his hide, I put my hand back in there to pick him up and he hissed at me, for the first time since I got him July of last year. I've been handling him pretty often, and I just had him yesterday/Monday for those of you who are past midnight. Anyways, after he hissed at me I decided to try and put he hide back in there, but he hissed at me when I tried to do it. So my question is, is there any reason he would be doing this, there are no signs of him going into shed, and the temp is 87 right now. Also, should I just leave the hide out for the night? Thanks in advance!

EDIT: Got the hide back in, it's not exactly in the normal spot, but he did hiss at me again.

Maybe you just startled him and he wasn't in the mood to be bothered today. Is it 87 on the hot or cool side?

Where is it reading 87? Hot side, cool side, ambient?? My pastel female is down right nasty before you even have a clue she going into shed. First clue is usually a hiss or strike. Then a day or so later pink belly.

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It's the night time temps. 87 on each side.

You need to read the care sheet. He doesn't need a night time drop. He needs a hot and cold side that are appropriate, as well as ambient. He is probably not comfortable, there for grumpy.

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I would consider it really being a drop, I just got rid of the basking spot...87 is pretty warm for them if I'm not mistaken.

He needs a hot and cold side, so he can thermoregulate. Please read the care sheet we have on here. I would link it, but haven't figured out how to on my phone.

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http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Please read this. Atleast 10 times. Maybe 11 for funzies. Your bp does not need a temp drop. I keep my hot side at 90°F. Also In your avatar it looks like you use those round stick on thermometers? Am I right? Because those are not trust worthy at all and recommend getting a digital probe thermometer and a temperature gun.

Also are you using a UTH? (under tank heater) If so do you have a thermostat on it?

How are you providing a 'basking spot'?

If your temp reads 87 on that dial without the 'basking spot' there's a good chance the temps are well over 100 degrees when it's on. That's going to lead to the end of your snake in a pretty short time. Read the care sheet and make the appropriate adjustments, then leave the snake alone for a few weeks and when you go in there and he hisses at you, ignore it and pick him up anyway.

In the wild, Ball Pythons will burrow to get cooler, or emerge and get some super hot Africa sun to warm up. Forcing an all-around temp of 87 is probably why he's cranky.

What substrate do you keep him on? How large is the enclosure?