Oh help... I've read that snakes will 'S' their necks when they're about to strike, yet BPs 'S' their necks as part of their normal ball. What's the difference?

We brought our little one home 4 days ago, and it just lashed out at me. It was completely soft, though.

It was perched on top of his hide shaped like a tree, and I was pushing a little more of the ReptiBark inside. So yes, my hand/arm was approaching it, back and forth. I paid no attention to its pose because it often looks like that and I've read that that's normal for BPs, but then whammo!

I put my hand in again, keeping further away, and sure enough, it lunged again but couldn't reach that time.

I'd read somewhere on these boards that you should pick up your BP after it hisses or strikes so that it doesn't learn to do that to keep you away, so I did. As long as my hand approaches from behind its sight, it's OK.

Help... I'm totally new to this. What do I need to be aware of regarding this?