Hey Frank,
I have seen that very same mounding with coco fiber bedding. I have also seen the female blocking the hole to the nest area and back filling after laying. They use that rostral scale quite well. Even arranging eggs and packing the "dirt" around them.

David,
I would not go as far as to say these snakes are smart. They do what they do because of instinctive drive and do it well because of their design. However, it does not make them any less awesome!