Hi,

I have a 4 month old male Dumerils boa that I have had since 8/13/2013. I have not handled him yet due to his inconsistent feeding habits. He was shipped to me on 8/13/13. Here are the dates when he did and did not eat:
8/19 - ate fuzzy rat
8/26 - ate ""
9/2/ - refused, did not eat
9/15 - ate
9/25 - did not eat and was defense striking the rat and anything that moved, which was unusual for him
9/30 - refused meal and striking like crazy at everything

A few days after I offered food on 9/30 and he refused he spent a few days in his water dish and I could tell by his eyes that he was getting ready to shed. I have been in contact with his breeder about his defensiveness and not eating, they recommended that I wait a few days after he sheds to offer food again. Today I noticed that he shed well and was out of his water dish, he was under the shavings with just his head out, I changed his water,no issues and then I lifted his hide, which was behind the snake, not touching him, to fix the shavings and he turned around and freaked out, striking at me and so I just put the lid back on the tub and he was striking at the lid and anything that moved. He did not act this way the first several weeks I had him, nothing has changed. He is in a 31 qt. tub, hot spot is 88 degrees, cool side is 75-78 degrees, I use a digital thermometer with probe, humidity is 60%, he is on aspen shavings with 1 hide on hot spot, he usually stays under the shavings. I know that young Dumerils boa can be difficult as far as getting them to eat. Is the defensiveness normal? It bothers me because he didn't do this at first. And I'm not going to lie, when he is striking at everything it makes me REALLY jumpy and scared. I have a Hog Island, but I got her as a yearling and she has never done this, so I don't know what to do. Any ideas on what I can do, as far as eating or behavior?

Thanks so much
Beth