Pointless creatures. Well, not creatures, but as pets...totally pointless. No affection. Where's the heart?

Anyway, some questions my cousin did not really clear up:

- How long do I keep the heat mat on for?

- I had to move his coconut "hide" to the cold part of the habitat. Why is my corn snake sitting there looking deeply shocked? Shouldn't he be going into the coconut "hide"?

- How high are my chances of killing the snake my accident and having to buy a replacement before my cousin finds out, in an hilarious sitcom stylee?

- I really don't want to touch it but I apparently have to in order to aid the socializing process. Can't I just prod it with a stick?