I have also noticed with the warm weather and climate change that all of my snakes are much more active, my Red Tail especially. Merlin does take a defensive posture when I open his tank but I let him investigate what's going on first and 99% of the time when he realizes it's me, he lowers his defenses and will climb out onto my outstretched hand and wrap around my arm so I can take him out. I don't even have to reach in to pick him up. You might try that tactic with yours as well and see how your snake reacts. It might take a couple more minutes to get your pet out, but it sure beats having him strike at you or the glass everytime you try to work with him.