Hissing?

[flyfishing-falconer]

I have a ball python who is about a year old. I don't know of it is a male or female. He (Bruce) is normally​ very tame and friendly, he loves to explore stuff when I take him out and will let me touch him anywhere, including his head without a problem. Even when he is about to shed.
A few days ago I noticed he was getting ready to shed so I bumped the humidity a little.
I just went to take him out and check on him but when I lifted up his hide he hissed and me. He has never done this before.
I put it down and tried a gain and the same thing happened.
He has bitten me before but it was because I scraped his scale on something and ripped it up on accident.
Is this normal? And will it go away? I don't want him to become a little brat.
Any advice is appreciated.
Luke.

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[JodanOrNoDan]

They have bad days just like anything else. The new behavior is most likely temporary if you husbandry has not changed.

[flyfishing-falconer]

They have bad days just like anything else. The new behavior is most likely temporary if you husbandry has not changed.

That makes sense.
It has not changed recently so that should not be a problem.
Thank you very much for your reply.
Luke.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[tttaylorrr]

during shed snakes can become very defensive. their eyesight becomes limited due to the build-up of fluid between the layers of skin, so they react to movements more defensively.
i usually don't handle my snakes during shed to avoid stressing them out because of this, but i have never had a problem besides huffing and puffing. the bad 'tude is most likely temporary.

[Craiga 01453]

I wouldn't sweat it. The above replies are both accurate.

My Kingsnake is the biggest sweetheart it the world...until he goes into shed. Then he is a complete jerk!! I have learned to just leave him alone until after he has shed. I just check on him daily and wait it out.

I would imagine your snake will be back to his/her old self after shedding.