I was thinking that since your house sounds a bit off-kilter, have you looked into getting a reptile cage? RBI has some good ones and Rich is an excellent person who will help you to get everything you might need for the environment. His website is: www.reptilebasics.com. He's got the cages, thermostats, temp guns, flex watt or RHP's for heat and tons more!

I have several of his cages and several of his rack systems and they are really top notch products Maybe this might help protect the snake from escape opportunities and also help you to keep your husbandry perfect for the new blood.

I'm just trying to be helpful for you