I would NOT recommend green plastic turf - it is a #$&8* to clean and becomes permanently stinky. Also, it offers no burrowing opportunities (except for the snake to get under the turf and possibly burn itself if you are using and under-tank heater). I use aspen and have never had a problem b/c I always feed in a separate container (which has the added advantage of breaking the snakes' association with cage opening and the immediate appearance of food). For hatchlings, I put a 5 by 7 index card under the hide and put the pinky in the hide before I go to bed -- the little ones prefer eating in the quiet and in the dark. As for live versus f/t, f/t is the way to go. Save gas with fewer trips to the mouse supplier or save hassles and smells by not raising your own mice. Live mice old enough for their eyes to be open can and sometimes do bite the crap out of a snake and leave scars. Make sure you thaw the f/t mice thoroughly before you feed them to your snakes. Finally, you should READ the on-line care sheets written by experienced herpers. Read as many as you can find. The more you learn about the snake the more you'll enjoy it. Good luck!

Tom

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