aggressive ball python

Question
Hi there.  My son has a ball python that we got at Petco.  We got him in August, 2008.  He is about 32 inches long now.  He has been a pretty nice snake until a few weeks ago.  He was eating a large mouse once a week, but started taking a very long time to eat him so we decided to feed him once every 2 weeks.  Well, after about 2 feedings like that he started the shedding process.  It ended up being a month between feedings so we finally fed him and it was fine.  Then, after 4 days he was acting very hungry so we tried to feed him again and he was following my son around in his cage and tried striking at him multiple times. It was nearly impossible for us to get him out of the cage.  He attacked the mouse quickly and ate him up fast.  The mice are frozen/thawed.  That was on Thursday.  SO now, Sat. he was out and about in his cage so I was watching him and talking to him and he started tracking me and struck at my hand on the top of his cage.  What could cause this behavior?? Would he just be super hungry still?  We are planning on feeding him again tomorrow, but I don't understand this bad behavior and am worried about him biting us or trying to all the time.  Please help me with this problem.  Thank you!!

Answer
Hello Kellie,

He is just hungry. They should be fed every seven days. This will help stop the behavior. Another good thing to do is to feed it in another tank or tub. This will help in not having the snake mistake your hand for prey and instead associate your hand with food.

Eric