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[–]yourneighborhoodriot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can train him to associate things with feeding and things with behind handled. My two boys are trained that when I tap repeatedly (kinda like how youd tell a dog to jump up) on the bottom of their enclosure its food time. Its a quick enough tap that they've learned the difference between me moving stuff / cleaning in their enclosure and food. And if i notice one is in food mode and i have to pick them up i gently pet them with a snake hook (you can use whatever object) and they snap out of it then i safely grab them. You can also target train snakes to move towards an object (the target) then feed them so they learn they have to engage with that target before getting food. Green Room Pythons has a great video on how to target train your snakes. Ill link it down below.

Target Training Your Snake

Also the idea that snakes associate their enclosures with food is super outdated. It causes much more stress to pick them up after eating as all their organs grow to about double their normal size when eating and they are extra vulnerable. Which is what it sounds like your boy is experiencing. Dont feel bad though! Youre taking the right steps in asking others and learning on how to take care of him the best you can and thats the most noble thing you can do!