So I just got my new baby male bp on monday (2 days ago from writing this). From the moment I handled him at the pet store I just had to have him :) anyway, so my setup is a 20 gal tank, aspen bedding, heat mat under the tank on one side with a water bole half over the heat mat (so as to increase the humidity in the setup) and a cave hide on the cooler side. Also purchased a flexible meter long branch thing that is meant to aid in the shedding process. Have 2 thermometers on either hot and cold side, and a humidity gauge. After installing the heat mat yesterday, the temps are currently 79F (26 Celsius) cold side, and 85 (30 Celsius) hot side, and humidity at 55%.

So after introducing him to his new tank yesterday morning, he proceeded to inspect every nook and cranny, and then went into his hide about 3 hours later and has remained there since.

My questions are:

After how long should I start handling him? I've read around and read that I should wait a week until he settles in, but not entirely sure whether to follow that advice.

Should I feed him in the tank (going to be feeding either thawed mice or freshly killed) or should I introduce him to a new environment for the feeding process, so that when I reach in to the tank he wont think my hand is food and tries to eat me xD

Should I disturb him and lift his hide, or should I wait for him to come out by himself?

Sorry for the long post, but I'm really eager to start handling him and I really want to do everything right!

Thanks, Adam :)