So Cake was still constantly searching, active, uncomfortable... His ambient is flat at 80 now, so it's not the temps. I decided to just take out his (medium) hide, put it on the carpet, put his UTH on it, water bowl next to it, and let him slither in. He stayed in there quietly and peacefully for two hours straight... out on the carpet in his hide. Supervised, of course.
What's got him so uncomfortable when inside an enclosure? Is it his enclosure that's a problem then? He suddenly has a problem with aspen and paper towel, but likes carpet? I don't get it.
Then I finally put his hide back in the tub, put him back in, and he has stayed put since! Not active anymore! It's only been another hour, but we will see... Hopefully he finally decides to settle down after a month, randomly.
What the HELL, ball python.