I bought my albino ball python on Wednesday from a local breeder. The breeder told me he was 5 months old, 239 grams, fed yesterday (Tuesday) for live small mice, and had not been handled a lot previously. On Thursday I brought him to my local vet for a checkup. He was friendly, social, and in a great mood. The doctor examined him and he was happy and not upset. His checkup went perfectly! I brought him home Thursday and left him alone except for changing his water, until today. I went into his cage, lifted up his rock and picked him up. He sat in my lap for about 5 minutes (curled up in a ball scared) when he uncurled he was in the strike position so I became a little nervous, but kept rubbing his back. He struck at my hand when it was moving, but did not bite me even though I was inches from him. I know he was just warning me, and if he wanted to bite me he would’ve.
When I asked the breeder when he ate last he wasn’t exactly sure when, so I’m thinking my ball python might just be hungry? Should I try to feed him later (I’m going to switch him to frozen/thawed mice)?
Does anyone know anything I can do to make him feel more comfortable when I am holding him? I know I need to be more confident, and make sure he feels secure and not scared.