Hi all-

I have a bit of an issue with my black hooded, Emma. Sometimes when I stick my fingers in the cage for kisses, or belly belly belly (when i rub their bellys) she'll bite, hard. It's kinda like she's in 'treat' mode and will bite and pull.

They don't get fed treats thru the cage. Only when I open the door and they come to me.

I thought it may have been a scent on my hand. I have mice and thought maybe it was that. So I'd wash my hands and she'd still bite. So I thought maybe it was my soap i was using, it's apple scented. So I'd wash then use antibacteral gel. She still bites.

I make sure to announce myself when coming up to the cage.

She's recently bitten and drew a small amount of blood. I thought maybe hormones were to play and she was protective of her babies, but she wasn't pregnant.

She's now taking custom to lunging when I go to open the cage or change the waterbottle. I have have hanging on the outside and have a metal clasp I need to take off of it to release the bottle.

I am at a loss as to what to do. My fiance made the remark that if she doesn't shape up she'll be snake food...I told him I was leaning that way. I hate to put her down, she was so sweet in the beginning.... what do you guys think I should do?

Oh, the mice have since been moved to a different room.