I'm a new snake owner (about 3 weeks now), and I've made some mistakes (realized this after reading site for a few days). I hope I don't get flamed. I was holding my friends snake and I was hooked! It was his first snake, he got it from someone a little over a year ago, he has owned lizards all his life). So I asked him for some info about owning snakes and called around. Petco $70 (asked friend if ok to get there...he says should be fine). I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't know....aahhh *looks down in shame, braces for angry attacks*. It dosn't get better. 55 gallon tank, aspen, hides, heating pad, heating lamp. ~85 (in warm side). Read site a few days (I always read as much as I can on things I get into)...oh oh...tank is to big, temps to low, humidity?? -- to low. Animal plastics , wife says not till next year . Ok I'll try to make rubbermaid one like on site. Container is semi-clear brown (ok, better to keep snake stress down) 26x15x6 (dang migt be to big, but has to be better than 55 gallon). Snake is between a foot and a foot and a half? Set up container, two heating pads for test run. Temps, humidity -> great . 2 hours later everything down -> bad . Auto shut off...was only box that didn't say that at walmart. Get two more from k-mart...test run 4 hours...no shut off . 92 on warm side, 81 on cold side, humidity 70%....drilled a couple more holes...trying to get between 50-60%. Looking into buying a thermostat this week. Tried feeding snake f/t, nope...tried feeding live fuzzie, nope . Will try once a week. I havn't yet moved snake to new home...but will once eveything looks good and stable. But this is where I'm at. This is open ended, but if anyone has any suggestions for a new snake owner than I'm all ears (or eyes...or something). Sorry for long post....please don't slam me...I'm new, and I messed up some here....but I'm willing to learn and put in a lot of effort....I love my snake already!!