I did the same thing when I was your age so I understand. The best thing you can do is search the web for as many care sheets as you can to get all the info possible. Here is one to get you started:
http://www.newenglandreptile.com/CareRetic.html
The best thing I can recommend is that you make sure your enclosure is properly set up. Check the temperature and humidity often to ensure that your snake is properly cared for. This is extremly important because it prevents many of the problems associated with retics such as mouth rot and respitory infections. It also reduces the stress level on the young snake which in turn can lead to a much more calm and docile animal. Make sure you maintain a consistent feeding schedule and document when it eats and deficates. This makes it easy to know when there is a problem. Make sure you handle your snake frequently as a hatchling to calm it down and use proper technique to avoid complications when it gets older. The last thing you want is a 14 foot cranky monster. Use common sense and be safe when feeding. Get the snake eating pre killed prey as soon as possible because retics have an tremendous feeding response which can honestly be scary at times. Let you snake discover the prey rather than holding it right in front of it. This also can help calm the feeding response of retics.
If you have any specific questions feel free to email me any time at:
chicagopythons@hotmail.com
