New BP Owner. Advice requested!

[babylogan]

So my father got me an early X-Mas gift yesterday. I think I'll name him Logan, although I don't know if its a he or she >w< anyway I have just a few questions and concerns.

He was bought at a pet store and I don't know their methods of keeping BP but he came home in a cardboard box. He was pretty cold so I snuggled him under my neck for a while. He was incredibly tense which I believe is normal but I don't want to stress him out by holding him too much. As soon as he was warmed up I cleaned out a ten gallon tank for him with disinfectant and dish soap, laid down paper towel and then newspaper shreddings. I let him settle in the tank for about 10 minutes then threw a hopper in the tank. He grabbed it almost immediately so I left him be to eat. Once he had finished stomaching the rat, I put his tank up on my dresser and set up his heat source. As I wasn't exactly expecting him to come home so soon I put a 75W basking light in a lamp and laid it on the mesh screen top. He has about a quarter inch of water in his water dish on the cool side and an empty coffeecakes box i cut the flaps off of for him to hide in for the time being.

Now for the questions.

1. How often should I handle "Logan" for him to get used to being out and held? Its only been 24 hours since hes been home and I only took him out once(because he ate and I don't want him to regurgitate) when he tried to lash out in the tank.

2. When should I start handling him? I've been reading that he should be left in his tank for the first 48 hours but heres why I feel I should take him out.

I know balls are typically known for their mild temperament so I'm honestly shocked to see him lashing out so much. He lashed at my aunt twice already, almost nipped my uncles arm when he put him down, and he struck at the glass numerous times when i was getting clothes out of my dresser, he also nipped me once when I changed his water. We all move very slowly to not scare him. I opened the draws slowly to keep vibration to a minimum but he kept trying to strike me through the glass so I scooped him out of the tank, held him gently towards the head so as not to upset his belly and put some saliva on his head. I tucked him under my neck again and kissed his face(which he apparently loves he pushes into it) and he was much calmer. I also noticed that he is not trying to bite. He is simply nipping with his mouth, like warning shots, but he keeps doing it. I'm not sure what is factoring into his stress but I feel it is something with the set up so I did a little research.
Most places say to leave him be but I also found a care sheet that mentioned overhead lights being stressful for balls as they're nocturnal. He felt warm when I picked him up so I switched the light to a regular 40 watt bulb and pushed the light into the corner.

3. Should I keep using the 40W, switch back to the 75W or buy another UV light bulb like I have for my leopard geckos?

4. His tank is next to my 2 leopard geckos 20g long tank. I put an obstruction inbetween so he can't see them but could their scent also be stressing him out?

5. Should I mist his tank? The only other humidity reader I have is stuck to a tank thats too big for him :/ I'm going to try to pry it off. What should the humidity read as in the tank?


I know he isn't supposed to be handled after he eats for at least a day and a half. My aunt has 2 red tails so I know a few things. If I took him out I supported his head and tail and he shows no signs of regurgitating so that's not a problem. I'd like to get everything squared away by tomorrow I have to go to Maine for a couple days. Also just any basic advice you can give me that you feel any new owner should hear fire away! I'm all ears.