I know that's not an original thought but here goes.

I have read a lot regarding when to feed and what it means if my snake won't. None of what I have read actually describes what it might be like the first time I feed it.

This weekend will be a week since it has eaten and the first time I will be attempting to feed since bringing her home. What should I expect? I plan on setting up a feeder tank and letting the F/T mouse sit for a little while to build up the scent. I guess I want to know how long to leave them together before giving up?

Also, in clear english can someone give me a little advice on a timer/thermostat combo for an under the tank heater set up? I am new to the snake world and the abbreviations aren't a second language for me yet.

Currently I have a heater on the side of the tank (it was the "suggested" method in the instructions for the under the tank heater) and use a "daylight bulb" and a black "night bulb" on a 12 hour cycle. Initially I had some humidity issues but I ended up covering half of my 20L tank with a piece of glass from an old picture frame and that pretty much solved my issue. I can take a picture of it if anyone really needs to see it, but it's just your standard newbie tank set up. Big bowl, two hides and a heat gradient.

I am also thinking of switching to either a mat or newsprint when I clean her tank this weekend simply for the cleaner appearance. My questions here are, will this cause stress? and will it make balancing humidity harder? Currently the substrate is Douglas Fir.

I have no other reason to change the heating situation except that the under the tank heater seems like a popular choice and I want my snake to be as happy and healthy as we can make it.

Thanks in advance to anyone willing to offer advice.

I did do research before we got going but just like most things new to me, live and learn. It's never as easy as it looks after you jump in...