Animals don't blow up...unless they are bloated from gases produced during body decomposition combined with heat. i remember that alligator article too, and my assumption was that the alligator was trying to claw his way out while going down and both animals died in the process.
remember that alligators are very powerful with huge claws and the snake's body isn't armor plated, so it can't withstand clawing - especially from the inside.
from my limited experience with babies, they like to bite, some more so than others, and they all seem to be nervous. some grow out of this phase. some snakes are naturally mean, even ones that are supposed to be calm, like corns. there is natural variation in everything.
someone else here said it well: "some snakes tolerate being held while others hate it". don't expect him to act like a puppy.
then again, your snake might just be hungry.
regarding nervousness, i learned that if i pick my snake up immediately he tail rattles for about 5 seconds then calms down right away like it's no big deal. if i hesitate picking him up, and chase him around the tank trying to catch him, that makes him (and me) nervous and he will be very jumpy and musk once i do pick him up. so don't hesitate because it makes things worse for both of you.
another thing, placing them down in the tank when they are behaving badly teaches them that's how to get away from you. so only put him down after he has calmed. then he'll learn to behave.
but some snakes are dumb, so don't expect miracles. these are just simple conditioning techniques.
these things i first read in kathy love's excellent book on corn snakes, but the rule of thumb still applies.
good luck,
tom
