First off I am new to Balls so try to to rip me a new one

I was gifted an adult ball python about 3 months ago. it is about 4.5 ft long and was 1700g when I got it. the person who had it had only been feeding about 1X every 4-6 week so I started feeding med rats every week after some advice from here. Was also told he did not eat F/T but that is what I fed and he seemed fine with it. about 1 month ago he was a bit off for eating but I left the rat and he ate it before I came back the next day but since then has not eaten. He comes out acting interested in the rat but does not strike and had not eaten. I know that males can go on a fast in breeding season but that is not for a few months right? I checked his temps and he was a bit cold so I increased the size of his CHE. Any advice and when do I give a live rat to see if he will eat that?