Toby, your right, I get the picture. Guess we all have to work with what we've got. I can see what the AC would do to your electric bill, I see mine raise a bit with more use of the electric radiators but I'll bet your AC makes that expense look like something I shouldn't complain about.
I recently gave in to temptation and picked up a juvenile Aru island green tree python. While everything else is thriving now with ambient room temps (78-80) in the August warmth, I've got its enclosure heated into the low 90s. (its not a rat snake but with neon green, snow flakes spattered down the spine and light blue mixed in here and there, I couldn't resist )
If in your region I'd probably lean towards the more tropical species just to keep things easier.
I have to keep reminding myself to keep things simple.
Too much or too complicated makes it a job instead of a hobby and creates stress trying to maintain things properly. Unfortunately though we'd like to think so, we can't include everything we'd like to in our collections.
Sorry I know its not a rat snake but I had to include a couple of shots of my new baby. She's just going to get prettier as she grows.
Mike.

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