yesterday (less than 24 hrs ago) i bought a ball python at petco.

i brought him (or her?) home in a sock, bought a 20 gal aquarium, some aspen bedding, a half log, under tank heater, a water dish, a fake bendable stick, and this wierd plastic half log with plant patterns etched into it.

i havn't named him yet, cant think of anything. i will have pics up soon.

i read that they sometimes won't eat, but just 20 mins ago i bought a frozen feeder mouse, thawed it in warm tap water, and mr. snake ate him right up.

now do i just leave him alone for a couple days? when will he stop striking at me when i reach in to hold him? i've only tried to pick him up from his tank a couple times, and he hisses and snaps at me! did i get a mean one?

i assume he was just hungry. i havn't tried to pick him up after he ate, because i guess they will throw up their food.

will the ball python exhibit any particular behaviour when he is more comfortible with me/ his habitat?