What's with the biting?

[Beejay]

I'm really getting annoyed with my 2002, spring red sided garter. He started off eating well and was a joy to hold...but as soon as I changed from a shoebox to a 10gal he started biting and musking me...

Was it the weather, or the tank? He went from a rubbermaid shoebox with papertowel with two hides and a water to a tank with two hides, a branch and a water, aspen shavings (which he sometimes burrows in).

He's a gorgeous snake that eats well (f/t nb pink) and I handle him at least once a day, but that first dip into the vivarium always gets me stapled and then he musks as I pick him up. *sigh* He's fine once I get him out. Maybe a tiny hook? lol

Am I taking this too personally? Should I just put him back into the rubbermaid or let him get used to the 10 gallon? He's been in there for a month now...same behaviour.

Thanks!
Bj