[Cazador]

Hey Mike,
A lot of people brumate their snakes on mulch and have excellent results. I just prefer paper towels because they're easy to check for moisture and the occasional urate. They're also clean and easy to use. Wood has a lot of pores where bacteria and fungi are able to hide, so that's another reason I choose to avoid them.

Snakes aren't quite always sleeping during brumation, it's more like they're very lethargic and "drowsy." All of their bodily processes slow down, including their immune system and sensory perception, but they still move around. You want to give your snakes a lot of peace and quiet, but don't be afraid to check on them once in a while. A moment of handling every few weeks is trivial compared to the potential dangers of having a damp cage or a sick snake during brumation. Checking on them is also important to ensure they aren't suffering excessive weight loss. It's also a good time to clean their water bowl and give them fresh, cool water. Luckily, parasites are ectothermic as well and slow down their activity levels at lower temperatures.