Related question - has anyone correlated security to locking? Everyone always says they remove hides during pairing... any thoughts as to whether or not that affects their behavior?

Storms are definitely a good one. You'll also know when a female is ready because she will express her scent glands when the male enters. You kind of want their enclosure to be a little dirty (not unsanitary) which is a tricky balance. I've noticed they get going once they pee on each other. Could be scent, could be clearing the passage, could be both.