Hi,
I'll try to answer your questions.
The problem is that he is the nastiest snake I have ever seen in captivity. [...]I bought the WLP with the thought that I would do everything possible to calm it down and tame it (by the way, it is a captive hatched snake abount 1 year old).
Usually young snakes tend to be more aggressive than older ones, so the defensive behaviour of your young wlp is quite normal. Wlps are generally very alert snakes and territorial, but they will calm down quickly once outside the cage.
Can anyone give me some ideas on the best place to start and some proven successful ways to have the best chance at success?
Frequently and gentle handling often shows success to calm down wlps. But as I don't handle mine that much, I think, others may be able to help more.
Also, I have read that WLP are very fragile snake prone to blisters.
The blister disease actually isn't the problem. they are more sensible to respiratory infections from suboptimal temperatures and to low humidity.
I have been told to just keep the cypress mulch damp and thats it as far as humidity. Is this correct? If not, please let me know the best way to avoid the blisters and where to find husbandry info in general about the WLP.
A hide box with damp moss is a good thing, and the wlp will gladly accept this as a hiding place. Nevertheless you should make sure that the humidity in the cage is not to low anyway.
Providing a large water bowl is also a good idea and will be accepted prior to shed. The wlp will soak his skin by laying in there.
For ore information check out www.leiopython.de. Perhaps you get some more useful information from the site or the forum there.
Cheers,
Wulf
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http://www.leiopython.de - the white-lipped python site -
http://www.herpers-digest.com - herp related eBooks search -
on getting a WLP.