It's not that I hadn't handled him in a long time. I make a point to handle each of my snakes at least once a week. But I can see if, 1/2 the time when I handle him he's getting fed, that would cause a response. This problem started last Sunday, on feeding day. I was defrosting the rats on the floor right outside his cage for several hours (company in the house meant no rats on the kitchen counter) & when I went to feed him, he was quite excited & looked ready to strike from the moment I approached the cage, probably because he'd been smelling them for hours. I cautiously gave him his rat, from tongs & thought no more of it.
He doesn't poop every week, so I'm not in his cage cleaning as often as I am w/ my other breeds. When I went to change his water on Thurs, he was looking "strikey" &, indeed, did tag me. This is what prompted my original post.
Today I took him out, with leather work gloves on & he was fine (although I took him out of his hide, before he had the chance to notice me & look "strikey". He was fine. I will make sure to socialize him much more (at least once a day) for the next little while & see if that helps.
I appreciate everyone's input on this. It's been very helpful. Robin
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2.1 Corn snakes Snake Plissken, Jack Skellington & Abby
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.3 leos, Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo (Indy)
0.1 Pacman frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
1.1.3 firebelly newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 cats Gus & Mena

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