Thank you Slim for the reply. I feed in a separate because I was told years ago if I feed in the enclosure they will associate your hand going in there with feeding and bite. My other thing is I am afraid of getting aspen on the rat then possibly "in" the snake. Heating ~ I have under tank heat and a heat lamp. the thermometer is in the middle of the tank reading 85 most days. Ironically heating was my next question. Any suggestions to change either?? Thank you and I appreciate any and all help you can provide.