WSP,
Welcome to Redtail!
Congrats! Sounds like you are doing good already!
Feeding does need to be put on a regular schedule, from every 7 days for a juvie on up to araound 2 1/2 foot, and every 10 - 14 days for larger.
The food needs to be close to, but not exceeding, the snakes thickest point in size.
You found out the hard way about hotrocks...... And as for the pad, the best way to tell is to put a thermometer right on top of the substrate and get a reading there. Another way, is to put your hand on the heated side and see if it is warm, or uncomfortably hot. If the snake burrows and the pad side is too hot, it can cause burns like a hot rock can.
Check out these two care sheets on care and feeding, they are very helpful.
Boa Care.
Feeding Snakes.
As for your substrate, I have never used that kind, so I can't help you with that one...
[addsig]
