I do have one ball python that would rather take a chunk out of me then got for a F/T rat. I give most of my snakes a hide in their tubs. So I usually take this male's hide away, wave the rat in his face, and then throw the rat in his tub and close it. If I leave him like that for 20 minutes, the rat will be gone. I don't think this is shyness though, more of aggressive. But when I hold him, he is a sweet heart. I have not had a problem getting my shiest snakes to eat though. If they are very shy I don't take them out of their hides. I stick the rat in the entrance of the hide and shake. Usually works but sometimes there are some that just wont take F/T.

I am not sue if handling would make this better or worse. I do handle all my snakes aggressive, shy, or sweet and sometimes they change to trusting you, but quite often it doesn't .