I think my BP hates me He Bites me, A LOT! :-(

[angllady2]

My take on this is that you are stressing your ball out, and thus getting bitten.

Firstly, snakes are not puppies nor are they kittens and do not need to be held every day, nor do most appreciate it. I handle mine an average of three times per week, and then only for 15 or 20 minutes at a time. If they start to act restless, they get put back.

Secondly, they can and do react to your anxiety level. If you are uptight, worried about a bite, that is almost a guarantee of getting one. My husband is proof of that. He received a minor bite from a big female a few years back, now he's phobic about getting bitten.
I can handle any of my snakes without fear, even when they are in blue. But let him pick one up and instantly they are tensed up and ready to strike. If I take it from him, instant calm.

I've had a few strikers in my time. One male in particular was a face striker. He always, and I mean always came at my face. I learned really quick to read his body language, because they always give warnings before they strike. When I noticed that telltale attitude, I would hold him away from my face and let him do his strike. After a week of unsuccessful attempts to re-arrange my face, he eventually gave up. Shortly after that, when he finally got it through his head I was not scared of him, nor would striking me make me leave him alone, he gave up striking at me unless he was in blue and crabby.

Now I know it's all well and good for me to say these things, but putting them into practice with your snake is a different matter. If you don't think you will be able to overcome your anxiety of being bitten, then yes you are probably going to have to rehome him. If you think that given a little time and some effort on your part you can conquer your fear, then do try. Start with less frequent handling, try every three days for now. Limit it to short sessions to start, say 5 to 10 minutes. If holding him is a little too hard for now, get him out, lay down on your bed and just let him be near you. Gently stroke his side now and then. Do watch his head and neck. If at any point he "S" curves with his face towards you back up a bit in case he strikes. If he does strike at you, ignore it. Don't freak out and DON'T put him back!

It will take time and a lot of effort on your part, but you can turn this around if you really try. Best wishes to you.

Gale