Hi Everyone,
I'm a new poster on this forum but have visited and read many threads while gathering info before getting my BP. I finally got him on Monday and he is gorgeous. I got him from an awesome 501 Herp Rescue in AZ. I will post some pictures as soon as I am able too. He is about 2.5 ft and weighs 2.7 lbs (I'm not good with grams). I have him in a 20g long terrarium with hides, water bowl, heat lamp, newspaper etc... I plan on getting some aquarium paper this weekend to put on the back and sides. Plus I need to get a humidity gauge.

I have a couple questions for you all though

1. He is really tame and is used to being handled a lot. I held him for a short time Monday when we brought him home. He balled up on my hand and was stressed I'm sure. Then I left him alone until Thursday evening. He was cruising all over me, wrapping around me like a belt, up my arms etc... He seemed to be doing fine until one point when he stuck his neck out away from me and proceeded to 'hiss' at nothing in particular. Okay I'm sure it would have been quite humorous had someone else been there because I completely froze like he was going to eat me. I decided to put him away at that point. My question is: do they hiss only when they are pissed off or could it have been something random?

2. The Founder of the rescue told me on Monday that he thought "Tanveer" might be going into a shed soon. So he said not be alarmed if he doesn't eat when I try to feed him. I tried to feed him today by putting him in his feed tub (new to him) and offering him a f/t med. rat which he is used to. I dangled it in front of him but he seemed more curious of the tub in general and just began cruising around in it. I then placed the rat in the tub and thought I'd see if that worked but no such luck. At one point he even just slithered right on over it. Later today I did notice that "Tanveer's" belly is pink/peach looking and his eyes look cloudy-ish. Being new to snakes I am just second guessing myself I think but does this mean he is probably beginning the shed period and that is why he won't eat? If so, should I completely leave him alone until his shed is done? How long do I wait till his shed is over too try feeding him again?

Thanks for listening to my rambling!!! I just feel like a bad mom because I am so new to this

Namaste,
Kacie