Yes they can give you a nasty bite, especially when they know its feed time, they will go for anything that they can get hold of including your hands,.
Only my male try's to bite me every now and again, l see that has dominance as if he thinks l'm another male trying to take over his territory and pinch his girlfriend, my beautiful female Olive Python never ever try's to bite me, l some times wish she was my girlfriend, that his how beautiful l think she his, l can go and pat her straight after she has finished eating her Rat or Rabbit, and she won't even try and attack me.
l got my beautiful female NT Phase Olive Python in July 2000, she was 8 months old then and she will be 9 years old in mid Decemcer 2008, which is only 4 weeks to go, l got my male NT Phase Olive Python in March 2004, he was 2 years and 3 months old, he will be 9 years old in mid December 2008, when l first got him he was very snappy them but has he as got older he has tamed down alot, and l now can put my hands near him, without worrying about him trying to have ago at me, but some times l do have to watch him, because he will try and have ago at me for when l least expect him to.