I don't even use "reptile carpet". I went down to home depot and bought 3 feet of green astroturf for $8. This covered my 29 gal. and 20 long 2 times over. I cut two strips for each tank. After every second feeding and using of the bathroom, I pick up the snake and let him crawl around my arms/neck/whatever and change out the carpet with another piece, and wipe out the bottom with a damp paper towel. then i put the second piece in and put the snake back in and on to the next tank. total cleaning time is about 5 minutes every week...easiest substrate to take care of.

As far as feeding goes, when I was moving my licorice stick from Pensacola to Panama City a couple months ago (3 hour drive...he was staying with my aunt), she fed her right before I left. I handled her with a bulging belly, put her in this sterilite container for the 3 hour trip home, took her over to see a friend and he handled her, got her home, tank set up, handled her again to put back in the tank, and she was fine. no regurg problems.

Good luck!

this is my 29 gallon.

this is what i have setup for my two baby bairds

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