Why would my Ball Python become aggressive?

[Praireboyfarmer]

I've had my ball python about... 5 months now.

He has never actually bitten me, and he is not overtly agressive, but I'm beginning to notice more aggresson than was there before.

One example is the other day I was bathing him with a soft rag (very gently and he needed it) and he struck at me and missed.

Then today I was feeding him and he tried to take the mouse and missed (but still coiled around it) but he became VERY aggressive afterwards. He looked like a dang rattlesnake the way he was (He reminded me of a really mean kingsnake I had caught a while back). He never actually struck at me, but I know that if I had provoked him any further he would have.

On top of that he has became more reclusive. Staying in his hides all the time (versus never going in them before) and just general behavior change that I can't put my finger on.

I can still hold him most of the time, I mean he NEVER has gotten aggressive with me while handling him or any other general activity. I haven't noticed any difference in him health wise. and he is not shedding. I checked for any signs that he was beginning a new shed and I don't see any.

I haven't handled him near as much here lately, could it be the lack of getting him out that has caused him to become this way?