New BP biting constantly. (tagging)

[Mognar]

Hi all,

I have a question about my new BP I'm hoping some here can help out with. My daughter and I brought our new BP home Sunday. His tank is set up and the husbandry is pretty good. 93 on the hot spot, 82 on the low with an ambient of 85. Two identical hides on each end, water dish in the middle front and a nice piece of driftwood in the middle back. Dual day/night light on a day/night cycle power strip, UTH on a temp, etc...

My daughter was holding him very gently Sunday night while I set up his tank and he tagged her... He seems very skitish. He was bought from a local PS. We placed him in the tank, let him move around and check it out for an hour or so and then fed him a mouse. Dangled it in front of him and he struck it and took it the first time he saw it. The PS said he missed his schedule meal and the last time he ate was 6/12, which is why we fed him.

I know it's early, but I waited to handle him for 2 days since he ate and I've been trying to hold him for a couple of minutes each night just to get him used to my scent and being held, but each time I take him out of the tank, he's balled up and his neck is curled up as if he's going to strike. 2 nights ago, the first time I took him out of the tank since he ate, I sat down on the couch with him in my hand (slowly of course). As I sat down on couch, he struck at me for the first time, scared me and I dropped him. Maybe 2 feet onto the floor... I took him out last night, same thing... he was balled up with his neck in an S... and he struck at me. Tonight, I put on gloves to take him out and he struck at me 4 times between the time I took him out of the tank and sat down on the couch... I'll admit, I've been a bit nervous about handling him since he first bit me and supposedly they can sense that, but this can't be normal, can it?

I don't know his age, but I'm guessing his about a foot and a half long.

I don't know if I should take him back and exchange him or wait it out.

I slept in a tank top last night and put it in his tank this morning hoping that might help him get recognized to my scent.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? And yes, I wash my hands well before (and after) handling him and we have no other pets in the house.

Thanks in advance!