I just purchased a 5 month old ball python. She was so cute until she started her striking! ( yes, just joking... she is still cute!)She ate only once since I've had her ... for 3.5 weeks. When she is in her hide, she peeks her little head out. When she is outside of the hide and she sees me, she forms that S shape in her neck and is ready to strike. My friend at the pet store has 10 snakes four of which are Ball Pythons. He said be gentle , but told me to continue to take her out for handling a few minutes a day. Should I do this or stay away from her for awhile? I bought a snake hook and so it is easier to get her out of the enclosure without her striking. By the way, one of the times I took her out on the hook, she wrapped around the hook and struck anyway. When I do take her out, she goes into a ball. I stretch her out and she immediately begins to crawl around and investigates her surroundings ... like my bed, floor, my arm,etc. Am I doing the right thing? ... especially taking her out of her enclosure and handling her daily even though she is ready to strike!