Well, I don't know then... Maybe he / she is just getting up there in years and its temperament is changing a bit. I have seen this in some snakes in the past, but it is uncommon. I wouldn't worry much over it - if the snake still feeds and digests well, and is still handleable.

A couple other thoughts: I reread your original post, and found that the sex of the snake is unknown, so it could also be a female. If she has developed ovum, she may be in the mode of wanting to protect her eggs. This can make some females more secretive, and less comfortable with being handled.

And - there are some theories about snakes and brumation. Have you ever cooled the snake down during the winter? Black rats come from regions with a definate cold, winter period during which they will be mostly dormant. They have evolved for this, and a winter rest is seen by some as necessary to the well being of some species. I brumate all of mine over a year old, whether I plan to breed them or not, as I think somewhat along these lines. One part of this theory is that snakes which do not get a winter cooling may have their lives shortened due to not getting a winter rest. If there truly is anything to this, then maybe there are other effects this may have on snakes. Not all snake keepers believe this though, and so some see this as speculation...

I would suggest that you take the snake to a good exotics vet, if possible - if you are extremely concerned. Maybe have it checked for infections, fecals checked, etc...
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-Toby Brock
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

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