Experience With Spotted Pythons?

Has anyone here kept Spotted Pythons? I recently picked up an adult female spotted (anaterasi Maculosa [sp?]). And have a few observations/questions I'd like to share and see if my girl is unhappy/mean or just the way they are.

Basically, when I handle her she's usually very docile and very "snoopy" and likes to look around. But when I go into her enclosure to pick her up she tries to get away/acts a little scared. Occasionally she will defecate during the pick up or right after.

Last night she was partially in her waterbowl soaking (which she does ALOT!), and when I went to pick her up she flew across the enclosure and got behind one of her hides. I picked up the hide and went to pick her up and she gave me a closed-mouth strike, she didn't touch me, but she made it clear she wanted to be left alone. She then sat there in a wicked "s" shape and stared at me through the glass until I left the room.

She shed about 4 weeks ago, but her head scales are looking a little dry (like they have 'grout' between them), so maybe she's going into shed and generally a little "snarky" right now?

She's a great snake, but wow is she NOT a ball python!!!

I know nothing of them myself, except what I just read on them and it all said they are good beginners snakes with a mild temperment. Maybe she just needs more time to settle in and get used to you? Your spelling was correct, by the way. That was what I was looking up, actually. I learned the rest by accident.

I've kept and bred spotted pythons and they were always very docile for me. If she's soaking often and not using her hide maybe she is a little too warm. I always kept mine a little cooler than my ball pythons.

Thier feeding response was always amazing ... like a tiny retic!

Good luck with her, great snake!

-adam

i agree with Adam. the spotted i have is a baby loves to be held and like he said with the temps spotted like it a little cooler then balls and they seem to always be hungry.