Looks like no answers to my questions are forthcoming. OK.
Your woma is not feeling secure. I wonder why it should be out and about, because you said each time you go near the box it reacts to you. All I can suggest to explain that is the snake is looking for somewhere more secure to go.
As has been explained, young snakes spend their existence avoiding being on the dinner menu while trying to get enough tucker into them to outgrow most of their potential predators. As a consequence they freak out in wide open spaces because they feel vulnerable. A first enclosure for a woma should be no bigger than a 4L ice cream container.
Womas love the heat. That is why I suggested you check the temps. Preferred body temperature is 26oC but adults will bask til their body temps are in excess of 35oC.
Hides need to be a snug fit. The animal should be easily able to feel at least two sides of the hide and preferably the roof as well. It never ceases to amaze me how snakes manage to curl up in the smallest of spaces. Try some different ones. The little sultana snack cardboard boxes are good. Bandaid packets are probably too big at this stage. The cardboard packets that medicines come in are often excellent. Just cut out a third of the cardboard at the top where you open it, lay it on it side and away you go. If soiled, throw away and replace. Try having at least two hides – one in the warm spot and one at the other end.
If your click-clack is see-through, which it sounds like, you need to do something about that. The snake is not comfortable looking out and seeing lots of open space. You can block out the side walls and back using a water soluble mat paint, like poster paint or Tyre Black. Alternatively, cut out some black card or paper and sticky tape it to the faces. Don’t forget to put holes in the card or paper to match any holes in the walls of the click-clack. If still needed, in the front you can put a half size removable cover from the floor up.
Pythons tend not to drink water that has sat for more than a day. I would make it part of the daily routine to replenish the water. Do so at the same time and not at a time you are likely to feed it.
When cleaning the cage, do not handle the snake. Take it out and place it directly in a plastic bucket or bin or a calico snake bag or pillow slip. You can think about handling once the snake has settled. In the meantime, if you handle it, you are simply going to stress it more. And the snake being dropped on the bed and bounced on the floor is not helpful in achieving what you want.
You have lost your confidence in holding the snake. Go and buy a small snake hook or fashion one out of a length of decent gauge wire, such as 8 gauge fencing wire or an older style metal coat hanger. Buy yourself some gloves (already mentioned). Follow the instructions previously given as to how to get it out and you won’t have issues with dropping the poor little critter.
Then for goodness sake, give it time. It is NOT an aggressive little monster. It is a scared witless little baby!
Blue
