it's funny how they can change so completely in attiude.
this was a snake that on feeding day was up at the door of the cage striking toward me as soon as I walked into the room with the food. Nothing phased him during the hunt or when eating, and in fact would patrol the cage afterward looking for more no matter what was going on around him.
then three weeks ago - suddenly timid. I think it must be something environmental or something I did - I hope to figure it out since it obviously is/was bothersome to him.

or perhaps he's just grown up and has less of a drive to eat so the littlest thing could throw him off where before it would take an atom bomb

anyway, thanks again to the board - I will definitely keep feeding him in the dark. if that's what my boy wants then that's what I'm happy to provide