how do i

Question
how do i know when a ball python is hungry or afraid or mad?

Answer
Breann,

    Thank you for your question.  Ball Pythons are one of the easier snakes for beginning herpetoculturists to keep.  They are usually very docile, or inactive, and do not usually pose any threat of biting.  This is not to say that a ball python will not bite, but under most circumstances a ball python is a pretty good snake to keep.
    For the first part of your question, a ball python should be fed about every 7-10 days when they are under three years old.  After that, they should be fed an appropiate sized meal about every 3 weeks.  Ball pythons should eat almost immediately after being presented with food.  If you have one that is not, you might consider different reasons for this.  Probably the most common reason for this is stress.  If your snake does not feel comfortable, it will most likely not eat.   Ball pythons have been known to fast for 6-8 months at a time, although this is rare.  If your snake is loosing weight, or physically appears malnourished, you should find a good herp vet near you and have him or her look at your snake.
    Often when  ball pythons are afraid or mad, they will hiss, attempt to bite, or even curl up into a ball and hide their heads (this characteristic is actually where they get their common name from).  If your snake is fairly new to you, there could be a period of adjustment where your snake is still trying to decide if you are a threat or not.  This shouldn't last too long, and once the snake begins to show signs of being more comfortable around you, you may begin to handke the snake more.  Once the snake is used to being handled frequently, you shouldn't have too many problems.  If your ball python is attempting to bite you, do not try to handle it.  Although ball pythons are not dangerous in the sense of producing venom, their bites can be very painful, and if you are bitten you should wash the area thouroughly, pluck out any teeth that may be stuck in your body, and go to the doctor to get an antibiotic.  
    I hope this information has helped you.  If you have want to know more about ball pythons, here is a great website about them:

http://www.kingsnake.com/ballpythonguide/

Also, if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me.

Best of luck,
Joseph Glenn