Cool, and yes, they live by scent trails and scenting. Now I suggest, once they mark and understand the rest of the cage, they will not behave in the same manner. And Thank you for recognizing that snakes have behavior and make choices. That is key.
Now I will jump up a hundred K and say, Aspen and coco choir, are not what this species instinctually understands. If you support your hogs in a way, it fits their instincts, they will behave in a very natural way.
And yes, hogs require a learning curve, which is why Gregg and I place the females in well before they NEED to be in there. It leads to better results.
These behavioral traits, are AS important as type of nesting. For instance, Those that place females in shallow nesting, may fail more often based on WHEN they put them in there.
Of interest, monitors seek their nesting area, BEFORE they cycle. Aprox 14 to 30 days before laying. With montiors, anything after 30days becomes problematic.
In the field, with pyros and Thayeri,(species I observed) females attend where they are going to nest, Loosely in the fall, then tightly in the spring. After copulation, staying within a few feet of where they are going to nest. Pyros often nest in groups. So you can find two to six gravid females sitting together. etc etc.
I have not found group nesting with hogs, Not tightly, in the same hole. But females do nest in the same general area. And more particularly, the same type of area.
Your approach is fine and your nesting is fine, nobody is ridiculing you. Or even folks with poor nesting. You could try other materials if you like, but surely your doing fine.

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