This question isn't about my snake, and I don't even have all of the details, but I do have a (kind of general) question.
One of the teachers in my building inherited a ball python from a former student. She doesn't want the snake (and strongly hinted she's leaving it with me next year, which is pretty exciting) but she's definitely the kind of person who will go out of her way to care for something - especially an animal. She's pretty well-versed in the care of animals as she's a life science teacher and works closely with two of our biggest local environmental/animal groups.
I say all of that as evidence that this woman is doing everything she can to make sure this snake is cared for properly.
Anyway, she mentioned to me the other day that her snake (an adult female) had started striking at her when she opened its cage to clean, change water and feed. I know the snake rarely gets handled, but is that what's making it so unfriendly? Could there be something wrong with the snake? Or is it just a personality thing?