You can try the tongs. Or, just drop it in there. The little one will know what to do. They can miss sometimes too. Lol. It takes a few feeding to get it right.

I only keep one hide in my tubs, and the balls move them around like turtle shells. Are you sure you need the moss tray? Tubs should hold pretty good humidity on their own. But, i understand some places are pretty dry.

I think with it being a newbie, I would try and leave as much in there as possible. Try it with the other snakes too, just to make sure they aren't eating because of stress.

I have one really shy one that will not eat unless he thinks I have left the room and turned the lights out. He is a pain in my....shoe.