Thanks for the advice. I have a zoo med thermometer in the center of the tank, and then a digital thermometer and hygrometer about 1.5 inches above the cage floor on the warm side of the tank. i made my own hides by taking some small clay (ceramic?) plant saucers and chipping off a small part of the edge allowing the snake to go into it. i sanded down the sharp corners making sure there are no edges that could in anyway hurt the snake, no matter how hard he might try to push against it. after that I put both saucers in boiling water so they could become sterilized.
I tried to make sure the mouse was thoroughly warm by allowing it to soak in warm-hot water for a while.
I have been trying to feed him in his main cage as I thought that moving him might stress him to much before feeding time.
I handle him once every ten days or so, not for more than ten minutes at a time.