If he's just a baby, I wouldn't worry too much.. The others are definitely right, give him some time to settle in.. It's more than likely the snake has spent it's life in a small tub and the only interactions were from feeding, so it won't be used to you frequently checking in on him.. Give him a week or so to settle in, I would try to get a few meals in him before you attempt to handle him, you don't want an animal that won't feed.. If he takes a few meals down and is still acting defensive when you try picking him up, pick him up anyways.. I bought a snake from Greg Riso, a snake he claimed to be the NASTIEST SOB.. The first 2 days I had the snake I never witnessed ANY aggression, I could pick him up no problem.. After he got settled in, he displayed the behavior of a rattle snake, hissing and striking at anything he could.. I just won't have that, so every now and then I open his tub, reach in and grab him, once he's held he calms down.. You need to get the nerve up and try picking him up, let him move around where he wants with no restriction, let him get comfortable.. It's something you're going to need to do, unless you want him to stay mean.. A tip on picking him up, DON'T come from ABOVE, and DON'T come from the FRONT, try coming up behind him and gently grabbing mid body, then let him do his thing.. It's all about making him feel safe and not threatened, you're a BIG GIANT MONSTER to him.. I always ramble in my posts, but ya get the picture...
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Joe Lydon

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