Hi everyone!
I just got my first real pet snake about a month or so ago. He is a male Sinaloan, about 10 months old, and the experience of owning him has been just wonderful so far. Normally, I try to handle him at least once a day, just so he can get used to being picked up. The only exception to this rule is right after feeding, when he (understandably) likes to be left alone.
However, just yesterday, I came back from a short, four day trip, and went to check on him. He was awake and sitting in the warm end of his terrarium, and it is obvious that he is about to shed (for the first time since I have had him). I went to reach in and pick him up, and rather than try to slither away, he immediately, and without warning, nipped at my hand. He's never done that before - it's always been very clear when he doesn't want to be bothered. I'm still new to snake ownership, so my question is: was this behavior likely the effect of his soon shedding, or would it have been because he hasn't been held in several days?
I've been bitten by him once before (the day I brought him home, when he was still agitated from the move) and it didn't really hurt or anything, but I really want to develop a good rapport with him. When he strikes at me, is it better to back off and let him have his space, or persist in trying to pick him up so he doesn't learn that he can avoid being handled with a threatening nip?
Any thoughts and inputs from more senior snake owners would be very welcome. Thanks! 
