New hatchling BP not eating

[Pareeeee]

Hello

New to owning BP's, not new to reptiles. I just bought a new BP hatchling about 3wks ago - which makes him 6wks old. When I bought him from the breeder, he said that he had eaten, and it was obvious he was telling the truth by the bulge in the little guy's tummy. I have not been able to get him to eat yet myself.

I'm trying to get him on f/t because the stupid hick pet stores around here don't sell live *small* sized rodents, only adults. (I've called several, they practically laugh at you when you ask...)

He is so terrified of me that when I open the tub he hisses loudly and tenses all up, sometimes he opens his mouth. I tried wiggling the mouse in front of him with the tongs, and it made him more terrified. He just hissed at it. So next feeding, I tried just covering his tub with a dark piece of fabric and just leaving a dead fuzzy on the heat source. Still there in the morning.

He's in a 6qt tub, small ventilation holes around the top, heat mat with thermostat at between 90-95deg on the warm side. I mist his enclosure so it's always humid, and there's also a small water dish. He doesn't seem to like using his hides. Substrate is paper towel.

Any advice would be appreciated...I know young snakes can't go as long without food as adults can.