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[pythonmum]

Mr Mikk mentioned hand washing which I think is a big help. Snakes are very sensitive to smell, so we use the same antibacterial hand wash before and after handling our snakes. One aspect is hygeine, but another is getting them used to that smell which means handling, not food. When we feed them we don't use that wash. This way they don't associate your smell with food.

I once worked in a US science museum where we got a really huge reticulated python. You could handle it easily when we got it. After being on exhibit with people banging on the cage, it got really aggressive and snappy (of course!). Sounds like that may be what your little fellow went through. Hopefully he will settle down with your good care.