Question about BP body language

[Hoathie]

I just recently adopted my first ball python, a 3 year old male. He's been very good so far, he seemed to adjust very well to the move from his old owner's home, and I've held him twice without incident. I just moved him into a new tub because his old owner had him in an aquarium and it didn't maintain proper humidity levels. Now whenever I open the lid he raises up and stretches his head toward me and flicks his tongue. I'm not sure if he's interested in striking at me or if he's just curious. He's only actually struck at me once when I was feeding him. This morning when I opened his cage to change his water and he stretched out toward me I sort of nudged him aside with the feeding tongs so I could reach the water and he didn't flinch back or anything. Anyway, I was just wondering if he's just curious or if he's stressed out and wanting to bite. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Snipes Ma Bipes]

That sounds like curiosity to me. When my snakes stretch toward something they are usually checking it out. Defensive positions pull their head in closer to their body either to hide it or prepare to strike.

[Kokorobosoi]

Sounds curious to me as well. But I would suggest only using feeding tongs for feeding.

[Slim]

They typically hold their necks in an S position when they want to strike. You'll know it when you see it.

[JodanOrNoDan]

Sounds curious to me as well. But I would suggest only using feeding tongs for feeding.

Yes. This. If you really need to move the snake and don't want to do it with your hands use something other than tongs. I just reach in and grab them. Don't touch them with the tongs. Tongs should == food. Everything else not.

[redshepherd]

Sounds like he's curious and wants to get out LOL.

If a snake wants to strike, usually they will hold still and stare + sometimes their neck will be an S shape.

[Skeletor]

He wants to get out and explore...that's what that is. Just see if he will let you pick him up. He may hiss if he's not into it. I usually pass on handling when they get all active like that. I let mine roam about the cage and let him try to do his escape artist routine. I usually handle my BP when he's more chilled out and laid back. It's funny...I can read him pretty good after 2 years. Yours sounds like he may want to get out and stretch a bit.

[Sauzo]

A scared BP will also become very rigid. Almost like frozen and they will usually form a tight "S" coil which means they aren't happy. A loose "S" is just the usual relaxing form.

[DennisM]

yup, sounds like a normal unstressed BP.

[Coluber42]

Stretching his neck out when you open the lid sounds like he's just curious. They can't actually strike if their neck is extended like that, they need to have some s-curve to spring forward from.
It's also entirely possible that his previous owner handled him often, and so he's expecting to come out and wander around when you open the lid and he doesn't smell food. If he seems relaxed and curious and happy to come out, I'd say take him out and let him hang out for awhile. If he really is used to being handled and being out and about, he won't bite when you reach for him.

If you're nervous about being bitten, keep in mind that you are many many times his size and he actually can't possibly do any real damage no matter how hard he ever tried.