He jumps I jump.

[McGregor]

So I just got my first BP on Monday. I got his house and everything setup on Sunday so it had a day to prepare for his arrival. Anyways before I purchased him I had the pet store employee take him out and let me inspect him. He looked great not mites or ticks or anything that I could notice would be wrong.
Anyway, I haven't picked him up or anything since so I could let him get used to his new house but when I change the water or if hes out and about I'll touch his tail end a bit and he "jumps" really fast and then scurries away to his hide. I'm a little worried that he's going to be very timid and defensive the rest of the time I have him.
Could it be just because he isn't quite adjusted to the new house or am I doing something wrong?

A little info about his house:
-20g tank
-Aspen bedding
-45watt Red heat light
-I have a sticky UTH but I forgot to put it on before I got him and I need to take him out to do it buuuut like I said he won't really let me near him. And the temperature is suffering because of it
-Cold and (make shift till I get a chance to go to Pet-smart) hot side hides
-Nice little piece of drift wood for climbing
-Lastly a water dish

[BostonMacK]

You havent had him that long so i am sure he will settle down a bit. Also, touching their tail end is not very relaxing to them at all. When your snake settles in and has a first meal just try a quick handling session (2-3 days after feeding). Once you get him/her on a little routine you will most likely see a big change.

[hoo-t]

Just slip the UTH underneath the tank. There's really no need to attach it, and it shouldn't be inside.

Steve

[sw204me]

If you were crawling around, and something grabbed your tail, you wouldn't run your ass off to find cover?



Normal response. Your lucky hes even coming out at all, if every time hes out you touch his tail, your gonna condition him to thinking if he comes out hes gonna be attacked again, I'd give him a few days of no contact to let hi msettle in some more.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Your BP is very young, and has to settle to his new environment which is stressful to him and on the top of that he sees you as a big predator, so I am sure you can understand his reaction. Just give him time.

In the meantime a fee tips

Cold and (make shift till I get a chance to go to Pet-smart) hot side hides

If you go to petsmart do not fall for the log hides they make poor hides for BP go for something like this

Hides can also be made out of plastic flower pot saucers, or plastic bowls, the most important is that they are identical, dark, tight (all sides touching your BP's body)

If you don't already have one make sure you have the proper thermometer/hygrometer like this one found at walmart (Dial and stick from the pet store do not work)

Put the heat mat soon as possible and remember it must be plugged to a thermostat to maintain proper temps and avoid overheating.

The faster you provide optimal husbandry the faster your BP will be on tract.

Right now and until you BP eat his first meal for you leave him alone, no touching not handling.

[McGregor]

Great, thanks a lot guys. I'll be picking up a good thermometer and thermostat on Sunday(my only day off). Along with another hide. And do I really need 2 UTH? I had seen anything about that till I read it on here.
Again, thank you!

[sw204me]

No, 2 UTH is not needed, just have one on the warm side and one on the cool side so he can choose what side he wants to be on.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

And do I really need 2 UTH?

Well it depends most people only use one which provide the temp of 90-94 on the warm side however if you have difficulties providing temps of 80-84 on the cool side, due to low ambient temps you might have to supply your BP with a second heat source and second thermostat for the cool side.

Usually during the summer this is not an issue however it might be during the winter.

[liam]

also havent any of you lot noticed that BP's seem to always flinch quickly if there tail is tapped/touhced. even if its out and u stroke along the body when you fingers reach the tail it always flinches.... just my

also with putting the UTH under the tank, sometimes it doesent work. mines in the tank, but under substrate, because when i tried it out side tank even of full wack it doesent put any heat in... this could be due to the glass and the heat resistant rubber that i just noticed on the bottem of my tank... ok nvm im thick.

[Sinsation]

also havent any of you lot noticed that BP's seem to always flinch quickly if there tail is tapped/touhced. even if its out and u stroke along the body when you fingers reach the tail it always flinches.... just my

also with putting the UTH under the tank, sometimes it doesent work. mines in the tank, but under substrate, because when i tried it out side tank even of full wack it doesent put any heat in... this could be due to the glass and the heat resistant rubber that i just noticed on the bottem of my tank... ok nvm im thick.

Putting the uth in the enclosure isnt the best thing here. If your snake pee's on it... it can be shocked or a fire could start.