It has come to this but its OK.

[Gio]

Have you tried simply opening the door, tapping him to let him know it's not feeding day, and then letting him come out under his own power and in his own time? My 100% SD male retic is being a big enough jerk that he went up for sale (and has been sold, I am waiting on payment and need to arrange shipping) but he is a lot easier to handle if the decision to leave the enclosure is his versus me picking him up and pulling him out.

Yes.
Unfortunately that led to more biting at the hook and facing off.
Hard to say if it’s defensive or food driven or both.

Remember he attacked and tried to eat a rag soaked in Listerine not long ago.
I’ll see how he is very soon.
He just destroyed my LED light tape so I have cage maintenance coming up.