I'm not trying to discourage you but you gotta be careful who you refer to as an "experienced snake keeper" esp. a pet store employee... i been around too many times to hear them give very bad advice.

i've used repti-bark (wood chips) b4 and it's really not as healthy as a drier substrate and all the moisture you're referring to is not very necessary... just think heat (warmth), moisture, soiled substrate all ideal for bacteria to grow and multiply.

i keep a lot of my snakes in wooden enclosures use news paper or pine substrate and haven't had a shed problem... good luck

~ZF

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Bklyn's Finest Brooksi & Goini Fanatic