Hi Toby, I've read those write ups too. As I see it you can over think and over complicate anything.
They are different but not all that.
One example is bedding. I've read where they and bamboo rats must have mulch soil like bedding but I use aspen. I lay a folded sheet of news paper flat on the shavings and the snakes hollow out a hide under it, calm down, and feed well.
I read and was told you can't do this with bamboos, well I am and they are eating like pigs.
There are alot of experts out there and you have to take what you find with a grain of salt.
I'm not saying I'm an expert either, I can just say what is working for me.

Texas is a far cry from Jersey in temps and I'm sure heat is more of an issue. My reasoning for a basement snake room as the coolest place in the house should be even truer down your way.
For me, placing the tubs on the concrete floor in the winter months puts them at the high 50s low 60s when the room temp is set at about 72. They will stay there most of the winter about 4 months. I will feed them a very small mouse every couple of weeks during this time. This wouldn't be good for American rats but Mandys get along fine feeding and digesting at much lower temps. You can't push it though. Thats why I go with much smaller meals. Mandys eat smaller meals than American rats for a comparatively sized animal at any time. You can't power feed Mandys. This will get them to breed in the spring early summer.
I've written alot here but it realy isn't that complicated. All the hype scares people off. I think you could do ok with them.
Mike.

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