That was helpful! As a note though, I didn't sand the bottom, just the sides. The reason I sanded it in the first place was to make the holes I poked smoother, but also to make it opaque so the snake won't be scared. But, seeing as the bottom always has the surface of the table on it, there's no reason to make it opaque.

How often would you consider sufficient for replacing damp substrate? The damp paper towel has been in the enclosure for two days. Should I change it?