Aggression or defensive

[Big Mike]

My young (year or so) Cal. King has never been the friendliest snake in the world but he calms down for a while once I pick him up. When I go to pick him up, he thrashes about and musks or sh!ts on me most of the time but lately he has been taking an aggressive posture. I have him in an aquarium so I try my best not to "loom" over him and come from the side to pick him up. This last week, instead of trying to get away from me, he has turned and coiled up in a classic striking position. He has tried once or twice to strike at me from behind the glass but not at my hand yet.

I'm not afraid of being physically hurt by him...but I'm still psychologically afraid of being bitten by a snake.

He recently shed so I know that's not it. His last two meals were smaller than usual so maybe he's hungry? Temps are good (85 on warn side - 73 on cool). I should probably just get over it and pick him up for 10 minutes and put him back. I usually leave him alone when he is aggressive or really irritable...then he calms down...but I don't want him to learn that he can get rid of me by being a jerk snake.

Any insight?