The behavior you describe - defensively biting food and hissing after being disturbed - doesn't sound unusual at all. I've gone through it with many of the babies I've raised (suris and bolivians) and they all grew to be tame and reliable feeders. Little snakes just get intimidated easily. It's almost like they have defensiveness and feeding response competing for control and they'll hiss and strike defensively but occasionally hold on and eat. First of all I would feed dead prey - no chance of hurting your snake and just easier to deal with. Second, I would make sure the snake has most of its body hidden under newspaper or something so it feels more secure. Unless the snake starts fleeing, I would keep trying to offer the food. In my experience, sometimes they have to build to a feeding response. If he starts trying to get away, back off and try again after a break. Anyway, this is a problem that has cleared up as my snakes got used to their surroundings and feedings. I bet in a few weeks he'll be taking them with no problem.
P.S. - I keep blood pythons too and sometimes when they won't eat I put a dead rat on the heated end of their cage. I think it fills the cage with food scent. When I offer the rat again they usually take it. Just don't leave it on the heat too long - I've done that and it ain't pretty! Good luck.

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• I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - drasticplastic, Tue Nov 8 23:39:23 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - xXVanXx, Tue Nov 8 23:57:52 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - drasticplastic, Wed Nov 9 00:06:29 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - jayf, Wed Nov 9 00:12:26 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - xXVanXx, Wed Nov 9 00:17:03 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - dworon1, Wed Nov 9 00:48:20 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - zookeepnhippie, Wed Nov 9 09:21:50 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - tcdrover, Wed Nov 9 10:45:06 2005
• RE: I posted earlier about defensive behavior in my new Bolivian....... - zookeepnhippie, Wed Nov 9 15:46:15 2005