Hides - pottery

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm thinking about hides for snakes(and small lizards).

What's everyone's opinions on the openings?
Top opening: Neat and doesn't need to be placed with any orientation. Good for zombie invasion defense. Bad - let's in light, and snakes may need teeny ladders.

Traditional side door: More what people are used to seeing, darker interior, higher resale value if snake decides to move to a higher income enclosure. Bad - may not feel as secure, harder to cut opening, must be oriented in cage, and snakes may lift the hide up when entering/exiting.

So.. What's the serious opinion of everyone.. And why?

Also.. What decoration would YOU like?
Rock colored? To look natural?
Bright solid colors?
Camo?
Ethnic patterns for different locality of snakes? Like african designs for ball pythons? Etc?
Tiny house painting? LIttle windows with curtains, flower beds, roof?

Let me know what YOU think!