Python has randomly started biting?

[lilhobbit]

I have had my ball python since August and he has been an awesome pet. Normally he will crawl willingly up into my hand and has never offered to strike or bite me. The last time I took the top off of his cage to get him out and feed him he came out of his hide really fast and was coiled up in the "S" shape like he was ready to strike before I had even tried to touch him. I let him loosen up a little bit and start to uncoil before I tried to get him out to feed him and as soon as I did he struck my hand. Luckily I always wear a pair of thick gloves when I feed him just as a precaution so it didn't hurt and he didn't actually bite me. I feed him frozen thawed in a seperate container from his habitat, but this time he wouldn't let me pick him up at all. So I fed him the mouse with the feeding tongs I have inside of his habitat. It had been exactly a week since I'd fed him, and usually he won't eat until its been at least a week, but I thought maybe he was just hungry and striking because of that. So today *two days after the first incident* I get him out and put him in his feeding container and as I'm taking my hand away he bit me again. I'm really dumbfounded by the change in his behavior. He went from being a very calm snake who would willingly crawl into my hand to be held to striking at me every time I try to get him out. Has anyone else experienced this? Any ideas/advice? Much appreciated!

[ballpythonluvr]

There really is no need to move your snake to a seperate container to feed it. It sounds like the snake may be stressed from being moved during feeding time. I feed all my snakes in their tubs. If I were to move the snakes when they are in feeding mode I would surely be bitten.

[Tfpets]

Is it possible he is going into shed?

[barbie.dragon]

Maybe you should just feed in his enclosure. It might be stressing him too much? I know you've been doing that for a while and the snake didn't have a problem with it but maybe he just doesn't want to be taken out to eat anymore
Wow just saying you're one brave soul. I only have a hatchling and when she's hungry she strikes within 2 seconds at most when presented a rat! I wouldn't even dream of sticking my hand in there to take her out! Haha

[PorcelainxDoll]

Ya definetly feed inside her enclosure. Less stress on the snake. Less chance of you getting a defensive or feeding bite.

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[PitOnTheProwl]

Could be feeding resonse?
You said you are feeding a mouse, what is the weight of your snake and how often are you feeding?
That mouse is probably not enough.

The only snakes I have that I dont handle are the hatchlings, other than that I handle all of mine before, during, and after feeding.

PorcelainxDoll will be one of the first to tell you my babies are very nippy

[dav4]

Could be feeding resonse?

This was my first thought, as well...he's hungry.

[BHReptiles]

Everyone else has touched on the obvious: feeding response, too hungry, or too stressed.

What are your temps/habitat like? That can be a huge cause of aggression/defensiveness in ball pythons. If it's too hot/too cold they can also feel stressed because they can't properly regulate their body temperature. If I was hot/cold all the time, I know I would be pissed off.