Welcome to BP.net!

Check out our caresheet if you haven't already: http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

For a baby ball python, smaller caging is actually better. A 10 gallon is ok, but even that can seem kinda scary since it's quite open. Be sure to include lots of good hiding spots. Lots of people here use plastic tubs (like a rubbermaid or sterilite shoebox or sweaterbox) and actually they have many advantages over a tank as snake caging. The main downside is they don't look very pretty.

You want to wait one week before attempting handling. Actually, after the week you want to offer food. If they eat, you ALWAYS wait 48 hours after the feed before handling (handling too soon after feeding can cause regurgitation) If they don't eat, I would refrain from handling until they do.. to make sure you don't stress them out further.

I have 26 snakes and I feed all of them 100% of the time in their cage. Feeding out of the cage does not reduce aggression. As long as you open the cage sometimes for something other than feeding time, your snake won't come out trying to eat you when you open it.

Definitely keep them separate until breeding time. Ball pythons kept together are not happy. We have an entire breeding forum for you to read through.

Hope that helps.