Do I need to worry?

[FatBoy]

I would suggest to clutter up the tank a little more. 40 gal is pretty big even for an adult bp. They like cramped tight spaces over roomy open spaces. To much open space can also add to stress.

[Jenn]

Like Fat Boy says, clutter the place up a bit. A 40 gallon tank is probably too big for him to feel secure in. Crumple up some news paper and throw it in.

I wouldn't worry about the strike. Nearly every BP I have taken from a bad situation has tried to strike me once settled in. After they finally have a nice new home they seem to be afraid that you will put them back in their old living situation.

Take it as a compliment! He may just be telling you that he is digging his new digs and wants to stay with you.

[justinsane82]

Haha ok. Thanks guys. I'll go pick up some stuff tomorrow and hope for the best.

[singingtothewheat]

I'll add a bit of back story. I purchased him from a younger guy who was moving out of the country and was unable to bring his snake with him. When I went to pick him up, the guy was using a shirt as his hiding spot, had aquarium rocks as bedding, a water dish that was WAY too small and under the bedding he had some sort of grate set up that under it had this really weird clear slim and mold on top of that, he had just come off what appeared to be a very bad shed. So his home now is MUCH different with proper heating both under his hiding rock and through a heat lamp, proper humidity levels, bedding consisting of a mix of aspen and eco earth, two hiding spots and a water dish that he loves to just soak in.

I'm glad you got this baby from someone who clearly did not care enough to find out how to care for it. Impulse buys on balls often turn out like that.

[loonunit]

My experience has been that 2 year olds have a harder time and take longer adjusting to new environments than hatchlings. Also that while most bps like the results of housecleaning, they dislike the process of it. They get over it with time, but I still have one male that regards the sound of me cleaning his tank as a call to arms.... sometimes stuffing them in a bag while you clean is less stressful for everyone.

[loonunit]

And, yeah, ditto on the clutter. He'll eventually decide he really likes having the extra space, but right now it's probably totally freaking him out. (Cardboard shipping tubes make great cheap hides if you have an X-acto knife to cut them with. I usually split them down the middle, for easy animal removal.)

[BPelizabeth]

Also that while most bps like the results of housecleaning, they dislike the process of it. They get over it with time, but I still have one male that regards the sound of me cleaning his tank as a call to arms....

Call to arms.... that is hilarious. I have a great picture of hiim in my head when you start to clean.