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The key word is "hatchling". Hatchlings really aren't the best pet, especially for a first snake, because they are fragile & shy by nature, and for best results, you should not be handling them until they grow stronger & feed readily.
Consider that in nature anything that picks up a snake is a predator about to eat them! Even if captive bred, snakes are wild animals, meaning they rely on their instincts & don't have any concept of being a "pet". Hatchling snakes that don't defend themselves (either by hiding, biting or smearing you with feces, which by the way, most baby kings are notorious for) get eaten by any one of a number of predators, including birds. (they look like worms!)
One other thing to consider is that you got a king snake...they normally burrow & hide more than many other kinds of snakes.
The best thing you can do with a "baby" snake (hatchling or neonate) is to be content to just watch them for quite some time, until they grow stronger & feel bolder. Your snake is behaving normally and you need to be more patient. BTW, I have kept & bred various kinds of snakes, including "Cal-kings". You might have been happier starting off with a yearling+. Also remember snakes are near-sighted & don't identify you visually....so don't take it personally when he hides. To him, you are a potential predator heading his way, not his benefactor.
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