Agression/defensive agression, how to help fix this?

[Brixxart]

I adopted a ball python three weeks ago, he's eaten twice with me, I was told he was about a year old and he weighs 211 grams, (1' 11" in length) for the first week I left him alone entirely and he was on paper towels, after a week I fed him and changed him onto coconut fiber substrate, he has a heat mat under his warm hide (on a thermostat that prevents it from rising over 95 degrees) he seemed perfectly fine for the next week (handled twice for 5 minutes each, seemed rather skittish) when I went to feed him the second week of owning him he struck in every random direction 6+ times before I even had a mouse anywhere near him (Feeding "large adult" mice from the company arctic mice supplied by petsmart) I thought he must just be hungry and he ate for the second time with no issues.

I wated three days before attempting to handle him, I waited until he was already active in the evening and I opened his cage (Glass 20g, has foam-core around 3 sides and 80% of the screen lid for humidity and attempting to maintain heat. works for humidity but his ambient is room temp, usually 70-74, due to this I will be building him a better cage in the next few months.)

When I opened the cage he struck multiple times, I moved fluidly and picked him up gently, he tagged my finger, still didn't flinch as I know this can hurt them.

I held him gingerly for 5 minutes then put him back where he eagerly dove into a hide.

I've continued to handle him (hook training him now before I lift him, seems to have reduced biting a little) but today when I went inot the room where he lives he was rubbing his face against the hide (stone/rough style hide) and when he saw me he instantly struck at the glass.

He is my third snake I've owned, it looked like he was trying to begin a shed but he hasn't shown a single sign of shed since I've gotten him, any ideas for what he was doing on the hide?

Sorry for the lengthy post as well :/ Just hoping for some help. I know his conditions aren't 100% optimal but I'm working on changing them.

I own a 51qt semi-clear tub, would he be happier in there? I know my temps aren't ideal hence why I've made plans to build him a new enclosure, is this the reason he's striking? Just because he's new?

[Brixxart]

He just pooped... part of it looks... rather yellow? Usually it's whiteish urates with brown-grayish... logs with snakes?

[Sunnieskys]

He should be on bigger prey. At least rat pups at that size. Wondering if he is just hungry. He sees you as heat? I'm lost as too the striking randomly?

[SPIDERBALL]

He just pooped... part of it looks... rather yellow? Usually it's whiteish urates with brown-grayish... logs with snakes?

Well. I at least, was, going to eat a hot dog.

[Brixxart]

Hot dogs are gross anyways, I was doing you a favor. Lol

[hollowlaughter]

Urates can be yellow. Unless the consistency is loose like poop, probably what it is.

Just in case, try and provide your snake with more water since it can be indicative of kidney issues at times. Also, if it doesn't normalize by next poop/pee, please take him to see a vet. You got him at a big box store, which increases the chance of parasites.

Onto the other issue...

Young BPs are notoriously skittish and capable of associating a human with stress. I'd advise it's best to let him cool off for a week. Just toss a towel over the 20G and pretend he doesn't exist other than monitoring his temps/humidity. Let him have some "me" time.

During that time, doublecheck all your husbandry. Does the animal have two hides? Temps right? Humidity right? Are there other cover options in the enclosure, such as deeper substrate, plants, cardboard or pvc tubing? Reactions like this are often caused by off husbandry and thus stress, especially in young BPs. Make sure all of that is in order while letting the little guy have a cooldown.

Once the week's up, heat up the food in his room. Remove the towel. Offer.

If he takes it, put the towel back on, wait for the next week.

Let him get two solid feeds in before handling or bugging him.

Edit: And as mentioned, the prey might be too small. Try bumping it to about 10% of body mass. Little guy might just be ravenous which is why he's striking at anything warm he sees.