might just be scared of the inital pick up i would just keep handling him in the cage and let him crawl up your arm by himself and i would also say if you can get him out of the cage i would sit in a chair or something near the cage so you dont move him around to much when your handling him until he is used to it thats what ive been doing with the big 6 footer i got and he seems to hate going back into the cage. but least you got a lil guy the bite wont be as bad. im just waiting for the day