He was from a reputable reptile pet store. When I got him, the guy at the store (who I trust) gave me a bag of frozen mice which he claims are the exact kind he had been feeding him, and that he was a good eater and was guaranteed for 60 days if he refused.

I don't think the mice are excessively wet. I soak them in the water but then I let them sit again for a minute on a paper towel and gently blot the mouse with another paper towel to get the rest of the water.

The tub is transparent on all sides but is against a wall on one side. He seems to stay near the front facing clear side most of the time anyway. The lid is actually mostly "frosted" though with only a transparent line down the middle. Perhaps he feels secure under this lid and that's why he doesn't hide? That just leaves this issue of roaming. Since my original time posting I have noticed him calming down a bit more but he has not stopped this roaming behavior totally. Maybe roaming 75% as much as when I was originally concerned.