Thanks Richard!
I really appreciate your help! As does "Winston"- the RUBBER Boa. 
I put it in a 1/2 inch deep water in a large Tupperware container-after giving the water some time to equilibrate with room temp. I also tilted the container so the snake had the option of staying dry."Winston" explored-but kept it's head out of the water. The terrarium has a large flat shallow water dish- and I did see the snake drinking one time.
I also make a point of allowing the snake to adjust gradually to temperature changes- perhaps a holdover from keeping a saltwater reef aquarium (past) for 8 years. And especially with "pokilotherms"-if I recall the term from several UC biology courses.
I also approach slowly-and allow the snake to "taste" my hand before picking it up- it rarely makes any evasion attempts and seems quite relaxed when I do this.
I have an outside shed-and will move her out there once the weather stays consistently cool- a hot day in mid Oct is rare-but can occur. I take your point about providing a naural environment. I HAD considered setting my refrigerator at appox 45 F-and placing a "breathing tube" to prevent the seal from being complete-as a brumation spot.
During a recent hotspell, I set up a portable AC when I was away-or took "Winston" to work with me to enjoy the AC in my workplace.
On the subject of shedding- after the first shed the color was much darker- after the recent shed- last week- the color was back to the lighter tan-olive color that I remember from when I found the snake.
I am curious as to the your current study! Thanks again!!!!!
Eric


