Quote Originally Posted by patientz3ro View Post
Another REEEAALLY often overlooked behavior that's mistaken for cage aggression is what I call the "Nap Time Hair Trigger." Basically, when a python is asleep, it isn't like a human, where we're basically oblivious to our surroundings. Even asleep, a python's brain processes sensory stimuli, because they're opportunistic feeders. If something warm happens to pass in front of a sleeping snake, they're almost certain to strike. If they're a day or so overdue for food, it's even more likely.

If you want to avoid being mistaken for a mouse, make sure the snake is alert and consciously processing information. You can tell, because they don't flicker their tongues unless they're awake and alert.
Exactly. To negate this problem, tap on their hide a bit to stir them awake before you even lift the hide up from them. That way they know what's going on rather than the hide they were in suddenly disappearing into the sky and they are all exposed.