Hello, so I signed up for this forum today because I need some help. Basically, I have never owned a pet before and I have always been especially fond of BPs. I have looked after people's pets before as a sort of pet-sitter, though I was never allowed to have one of my own as long as I lived with my parents and in several months that is about to change.

Now, I have done plenty of research over the past few weeks on BP care though I feel the safest option I can possibly take is to completely confirm what I already know, and clear up the air on a few things I am unsure of - please be very specific because I tend to process things very literally due to my condition.

1. Should I switch off the red heat lamp at night and turn it back on when I wake up?

2. When I purchase pre-killed frozen rodents, how do I store them, and how would one go about defrosting it so it is suitable for my BP to eat? & When defrosting, how long should it take before I feed it to the snake?

3. Is Orchid Bark substrate ideal for BP's inside a vivarium?

4. What is the maximum amount of time one should handle a BP before returning him to his vivarium?

5. Should I put the snake in a safe container and move him to another room when I use a vacuum cleaner in my room? This probably an obvious one, but I HAVE to be 100% sure!!!

6. When people say to spray the hide with water using a sprayer, do I lift up the hide, spray the roof of it one time and put it back?

7. What is the most amount of times per week an owner should handle their BP? Once? Twice? ( Also, I am aware that you should absolutely never handle a BP until 48 hours have passed after feeding, since they can regurgitate their food if handled before its food is digested. )

8. On top of the red heat lamp, would there be any other lamps inside the vivarium to provide light? ( Again, another obvious one but I need to be completely sure. )

9. When feeding the BP, should I wait for him to come out of his hide, or lift up the hide and attempt to feed?

I believe that is absolutely everything I need to ask, I appreciate all answers. : )