Hey Gregg,
Not my reptile room, my "labor room".
I want to preface my post by saying that I believe these are interesting and complex topics - this is what I do and I respect that you do otherwise.
No I don't check the soil temps.
In a mostly closed environment of minimal fluctuations it is irrelevant aside from, like you suggested, decomposing.
I'm sure that isn't a factor with the coconut over the course of two weeks, which answers another of your questions - I transfer them to this room after they shed.
I don't offer them options and I'm still open to changes in approach on that topic, not because I believe in it in principal, but because I am always looking for better results.

Generally, I think when we keep animals in captivity we have completely changed everything and I don't attempt to directly mimic the options they supposedly choose from in nature, though I respect your attempt to do so.
I personally adopt the approach of starting from scratch, clean slate, and just do what works.
I don't view it as "force" - that's a strong word, which implies coercing the animal to deal with conditions that don't suit it.
We are all "forcing" the snakes to live in conditions that aren't but one percent of what they have in the wild.
I view it as attempting to provide optimal conditions.
I have less respect for the animals ability to choose than you do, because I think once we change their environment so extremely, we have robbed them of the ability to follow their instincts in the way that would suit them best and they are just as likely to make poor choices.
I actually view it the other way round.
By exposing the snake to such extremes of choice in such small environments, you are forcing them to make the right choices.

For me, the proof is in the pudding.....

To be continued.....

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