I have a 1 and a half year old ball python. I've had him for almost a year now, and he's always been the biggest sweetie.
His temps and humidity levels are always correct and they're carefully monitored. He's incredibly healthy and always sheds wonderfully.
Lately, however, he's been pretty aggressive towards me. The past week, every time I've tried to get him out of his tub to handle him, he thinks he's getting fed and he gets in strike position. He even sticks his head and neck out of the tub, forcing me to back up.
Just a few minutes ago, I tried to get him out of his tub, and he bit me pretty good. It didn't hurt much, but it bled a lot.

I noticed that this started happening around the same time that I started feeding him 2 rats. (He eats frozen-thawed) Would this have anything to do with it?
I handle him around 3 times a week, and usually later in the day because I feel bad waking him up in the daytime. Should I be handling him more to calm him down? Should I be handling him earlier in the day when he's not as active?

Any advice would be super helpful, I just want to know why he's acting like this.