Regarding your first concern ... IMHO, 73 is not too cool, particularly as you've got a gradient, so the snake can stay in the warmer end if it wishes. People often overestimate the amount of heat required. You mentioned a heat rock... I'd get rid of it, even if it is thermostatically controlled. There's too much potential for bad things to happen.



Regarding your second concern ... I wouldn't even keep them in the same enclosure, even if they are physically separated. There are lots of reasons to keep snakes separately (just do a search and you'll see the number of times this issue comes up!) but health concerns are my main reason for separate enclosures.



Finally, a lot of people don't worry about the danger from lights but if one of your animals burns (even "warm" lights can be hazardous) or injures itself on a light, I guarantee you'll be kicking yourself and wondering why you didn't take the time to make things safer and more secure for your animal. Carpets can climb on anything. I make sure my lights are "off limits", even if I think they don't pose much of a danger.

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