I think snakes are smarter and more aware of their surroundings than you think. When I hold my girl she's very active and calm and will even come out of her cage right into my hand, whenever a friend holds her she balls up and is very skittish. Although this is only my second ball I've never been bitten or even struck at in 2 years, and I have friends that say there dogs are more likely to bite them then their snake is.

I have to to agree the cat probably pissed him off.