I feed 1 small rat F/T every 7-10 days. I feed in a large tub. Done this 6 times now.

The last two times though, as soon as I open the tank to get my snake out to move him to the feeding tub he comes out of his hide and goes nuts striking at me. I have to distract him with one hand and pick him up with the other. Then once he has devoured his meal I go to take him out and he strikes at me again.

Put him back in his tank and let him chill for about 2 days and he's back to his normal self.

I put the rat in a zip lock bag and thaw it out in water in the other room. Sometimes I warm it up with a hair dryer but my wife was home this last time so I couldn't snag her hair dryer.

I'm wondering if he just smells the rat even through the plastic, or its just enough to get the scent in the air when I move it from the package to the plastic bag. Or could it be the tub, I wash it out with soap and water each time but don't bleach it or anything harsh. Maybe the scent is still in the tub?

I guess I could go buy a snake hook, but am curious if this is remotely normal, or is my guy that big of a pig and is soooo hungry. Prior to the last 6 feedings he was on live adult mice every 5 days, never had an issue. The rats are a good bit bigger which is why I increase the length of time between feedings. They are still smaller than he his (girth wise) though, not by much. Have no clue how much he weighs, but he is 24-28" long and about 5" around at the the fatest.