Thank you all for your help. THe poster who thought I might let the snake starve over my feeding preference, well that is just offensive. The pet was purchased for my husband and our children, I made it clear in the begining I want little to do with it. I am the one doing the research because my husband doesn't have time. Obviously if it came down to the animal's well being or feeding a live mouse and he was not at home I would suck it up and do it.

I have done a lot of reading about the temps and obviously I grossly misunderstood something. Today he (and we actually do not know gender) is laying under his heat lamp, this is the first day he has done that but I realize this is an indicator that he is not warm enough. He feels very cold each time we touch him. I will adjust this immediately. I will also buy a better thermometer tomorrow. It sounds like something other than my cheapy heat lamps would be better.

Thank you all so much. I have a feeling the temperature is playing a big factor in it. The mouse is also at least 3 times the size of his head, I am guessing it is not the right size.

Thanks again!!