Well, first of all Welcome!

Next, it would be a lot easier to help you out if you gave us some basic info and pictures. What type of enclosure are you using? How big is it? What are your temps on the warm and cool sides? How do you measure those temps? What about humidity?

Did you start handling him as soon as you got him? If so, you should be waiting at least a week with no handling at all to allow him to get used to his new home and feel safe there.

As for the 'basking', they will move over there from time to time...usually when you aren't looking, and then move back to the cool side. If your temps are good, you shouldn't worry in that regard.

Predicting age of these guys is really really hard, but I'm sure you can get some estimates if you gave us his weight and length.

So, give us the rundown on enclosure, temps, heating, hides, and such and don't handle him for at least a week, and we'll try to make sure you're going in the right direction for a happy, healthy snake.