Cage neglected python, what to do?

[MarkS]

Hi all,

Now, when I first met him, I put my hand in the cage for a moment, about 8 inches away from him to let him smell me, and after a few seconds, he struck and got me pretty good.

Well, don't let him sniff you, he's not a dog. What he probably saw with his heat pits when you stuck your hand in front of his face was was a small warm object about the size of a rat. Hmmm, must be food.

I don't handle most of my snakes often either, I have too many of them. When I do pick them up, I open the cage and immediately grab them around the middle and lift them up. If necessary you can use a hook or other object to keep their head away. Generally when they're out of the cage and they realize their not getting fed, they will calm right down.