Hey PeanutButler, I posted two pictures for you. One of the plants I use in their original packaging, one newer then the other. But the same product, Zoo Med Congo ivy small. The other showing the plant top and the metal reinforcement wire I was referring too. I use twenty long tanks for all of my ball pythons. I keep only males. I heat the tank with a 40 watt zoo med red night light bulb. Hot spot of 86 degrees, cool 78 degrees and ambient of 82 degrees. I rely on sphagnum moss to maintain humidity. Or basically a humid hide. Hope this helps.