I've been having a similar problem and I was directed here. My thread is this one: click?
You said that you haven't seen anyone refuse a live mouse. My snake has refused live every time. :[
Also, this may be a dumb question but if I were to move him from my 20gal to a smaller tub, how on earth do you heat those things?
If I hooked up a lamp I'd be afraid it would melt it or something.