I tried this with my boa, using indented kraft paper and just a shallow bit of aspen. The problem I ran into was that I had to keep the Helix turned way up and then if the boa got under the paper somehow it would be way too hot!! I took out the paper and now just have aspen for her and that solved the problem. As for the balls, I only use indented kraft paper; this makes mornings like this one where 9 of them pee'd and/or poo'd much easier to deal with!![]()