I can promise you that the snake itself doesn't care what the hide looks like. They don't know what "natural" looks like. Such things are purely at the pleasure of the keeper. All the snake NEEDS is something that they feel secure and snug in...something that can be easily cleaned....and something that can be easily lifted off for quick, safe access to the snake. (You don't want something they can crawl into and you can't get them out of)

Once those primary needs are considered....whatever you want to use will work fine. Here's a fun thread that shows a couple of different, inexpensive hide options, and gives an indication of just how snug they like to feel...

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=35212