3 weeks ago I was given a 4.5 year old ball python and all of his supplies. He was no longer wanted by the adult son of friends of ours. He was being kept in a tank with a completely open screen top, a heat bulb that didn't seem to be doing the job (no thermometer, so no real clue), a soaking/drinking dish that had a nice layer of slime, and his next meal (a mouse) that had been cuddling with him for two weeks and not really getting fed. Mr. Mouse died after a week at my house.

I have covered the screen top almost completely with foil to keep in the humidity, I did a full tear-down and cleaning of the tank (smelled of mouse urine, and a couple spots had moldy bedding), got a new heat bulb (ceramic), two thermometers, and sphagnum moss. Heat and humidity are stable, the dish is clean (I have seen him drink!), and a couple weeks ago he did a full shed that was all in one piece, with nothing left behind
He has a hide on both the cool and warm side. I used some i sulated bubble wral to cover 3 sides of the tank to help hold heat in.

He hasn't eaten since Spetember. He has not eaten anything but live mice. Someone gave me a couple frozen ones to try. I got it all nice and toasty, and dangled it near him until he realized it was dead and started hiding from it. I tried a live one a few days ago. No luck.

So, I have completely covered his tank and plan on leaving him that way for a couple more days.

Apart from that, and seeing if I can get my hands on some used gerbil bedding to "bathe" the mouse in, any auggestions? He seems like he is more thin than he should be, but he was already like this when I got him.

Suggestions?

I should also throw in there that I have never had a snake before.