hey im also a newbie at dums. i bought a nice pair about 5 months ago and i had alot of trouble with the female eating. she went 3 months without eating and not she eats like a champ. never had a problem with the male. as for encloser i have them seperate in 20 gallon long tanks with bed a beast as substrate and lots of hides as well and i feed them both a large mouse a week. hope this helps