A lot of your qustions are answered in our caresheet for red tails.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=13

Personally I wouldn't pay any pet store $150.00 for a baby BCI when there's usually some lovely ones available from reputable breeders that you could have shipped to you and be assured of a well started, properly sexed and healthy baby. Female BCI's are significantly bigger than males usually so sexing on these snakes, even just as a pet, should be a requirement for future enclosure planning and other issues.

We started our 05 male BCI in a sweaterbox type plastic enclosure and moved him up to his current large glass tank as he grew. We did move him up a one point a bit too quickly and he obviously felt stressed and changed his habits. Back to the sweaterbox and he did quite fine until he grew a bit more. They don't stress as much as ball pythons but any young and small snake can feel exposed and nervy.

As far as lids on tanks. We prefer to use the metal framed mesh lids and buy strong metal clips made specifically for securing these type of lids for glass tanks. All major chain pet stores generally carry them, 2 to a pack and they are rated by size of tank. We've had two BCI's and a sneaky Milksnake confined using these metal lid clips and if they can't sneak out...nobody can LOL.