I was hoping someone here could help me out a little bit. I've owned my ball python Mustafa for about 4 years now, and when I bought him I was told that he was a little over a year old. He's always been really friendly. I've kept him well socialized, and he's never bitten anything but a mouse. He WAS the sweetest snake I'd ever met (and I've had a few).

PROBLEM- the other day I went to go change his water, and I picked him up to say hi and he snapped at the air! That totally freaked me out. I put him down, figured "maybe he's just in a bad mood?" (this has NEVER happened before) and thought "I'll just change the water tomorrow"... well it's been a few days now and every time I get close the cage and talk to him like I always do, he feels the vibration and gets tense and snaps at the air!! I have a very bad feeling that he's sick... this is not like him at all.

I would really appreciate any input at all. Or any tips on how to change the water of a snake that seems to have gone crazy.


Thanks in advance everyone!