I know the feeling on husbandry, but I will say that my hog tends to like it really warm. My cool side is about 78-82 and the warm spot is about 88-92. It's basically the same as for my ball python and I haven't notice any strange behaviors from either snake yet. She spends a lot of time burrowed down into the warmest spot in the tub but will also come out and stretch herself out. She used hides back when she was in a tank but now that she's in a tub she doesn't use the hides anymore so I just took them out.