The cheaper aspen sold for rabbits and other small mammals IMO is better than the more expensive shredded aspen sold for reptiles. That is what I think anyway after trying just about everything.

I use the small animal aspen;
I put the water bowl on the cooler end of the tub;
For colubrids, I do about 82 deg F on the heat tape. Depends on the snake species;
I use hides - all of my snakes will use them at times, like during shed cycle. And then sometimes they don't. Many folks do not use hides in racks. The VE racks are dark inside, so you can get away with no hides. Also, some shy species still like hides, dark cage or not.

The only colubrids I keep anymore are a few Western hognose. Those things are funny, mine eat mice, ReptiLink frog sausages and quail sausages, and once in a while a piece of hardboiled egg.

Then I have some Antaresia pythons, awesome snakes.

Another note: I upgraded to a 70 qt tub (V70s) rack from a 28qt tub rack, and I highly recommend it if you have the room. Some of the colubrids that are near 4ft plus will appreciate it if you keep those. My Antaresia are only 3ft plus or minus, and I much prefer them in the 70qt tub (though the 28 qt probably is fine as far as they care.)

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