Thanks for the quick replies you guys!

Ill be sure to buy some gloves.

His enclosure is a small(12x8x5) plastic container with heating pads on one side. I only have enough room for one hide because of the size of the container. Once he gets bigger, ill put two in his new enclosure. The water is on the cold side and the hide is on the warm side.

Another question has just occured to me. Is it best to pick him up when he is out of his hide roaming around or does it not matter if I take him out of his hide?

Thanks again, you guys are so helpful!