Hey guys!

I am a new BP owner and I am looking for some advice on a few topics.

General info: My BP is male, aprox 8 m/o. I got him from a local pet shop. He appears extremely healthy.
Feeding

  • I got him on 1/28. Per the shop, he ate last 1/21. He has not eaten since . He was eating f/t hoppers, which is what I have been trying to feed him.
  • I thaw them out in a plastic bag in hot water, then use his day time lamp to heat the mouse for 5 minutes. It’s very warm and is sometimes bleeding. I have been trying to feed him in his enclosure, I tried once in a separate tub and he was so stressed out trying to escape the tub wouldn’t even look at the mouse.
  • I use metal snake feeding tongs, and do the zombie dance. He won’t even look at the mouse. Last night I got a tongue flicker, but every time, he curls in a ball in the back, hiding his head under his body. I have tried to leave the mouse, he does not touch it
  • I always try to feed him at night with his red thermal lamp on. My apartment is also dark and quiet when I try to feed him.

What could I be doing better? Does he still need more time to adjust? Just getting worried.

Enclosure info
  • 20 gallon tank. Hide on the cool side, one way in and out. Water bowl in the center, large enough to bathe in. Large driftwood on the hot side for basking.
  • Tons of suction cup foliage against the back wall to hide under and he climbs up them to hang on the top branches/leaves. Also use substrate for bedding
  • 2 thermometers, one on each side. Hot side varies between 85-95 degrees, cool side around 70-75 degrees. Also have a humidity meter, it is around 45-55%.
  • I spray his enclosure with a spray bottle when I am home, and when I am not, I have a cool mist humidifier that cycles on and off every hour to keep up the humidity
  • I also have a web cam so I can check on him when I am not home and check on the temp/humidity levels.


Behavior
  • During the morning and most of the day, he chills on the hot side and sleeps. Around 5pm he gets active, moves around his enclosure. He also appears to be trying to escape? The enclosure has slide doors in the front and opens at the top, sometimes when he’s active he appears to be trying to escape. Is this normal behavior?
  • He seems less stressed and more comfortable. He appears to be less afraid of me.
  • I do catch him drinking from his water bowl.


Any advice on feeding/husbandry would be appreciated!