Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently got a very young creamsicle male. He doesn't mind being held and he eats with no problem at all. He shed for the first time in my care a few days ago (probably the 3rd or 4th shed of his life). I understand that he is a nocturnal animal and hides more or less all day long, but when he comes out in the evening or at night and I look in the tank at him, he immediately goes to hide again. I have him in a 20 gallon long tank, is he stressed because the tank is large? Should I cover one or two of the sides? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Joe

>>I recently got a very young creamsicle male. He doesn't mind being held and he eats with no problem at all. He shed for the first time in my care a few days ago (probably the 3rd or 4th shed of his life). I understand that he is a nocturnal animal and hides more or less all day long, but when he comes out in the evening or at night and I look in the tank at him, he immediately goes to hide again. I have him in a 20 gallon long tank, is he stressed because the tank is large? Should I cover one or two of the sides? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
>>
>>Joe

Most of my corns spend 98 percent of their time hiding.
The rest of the time is split up between drinking, eating and s------.
JJ

my corns did this too when they were little. now they are over a year old and come out all the time. esp my male ghost. (i think he is at the age and size where he wants a mate.)
i house mine in 20 gallon tanks, also. although when they were little i kept them in 10 gallon tanks. they like small secure places. i have a background picture on the back of the tanks and also the sides covered with poster board. just cut it down to size. it helps with my cats to not scare them to much, too.
as long as he is acting normal i wouldn't worry. remember you are a big predator to him since he is so small. provide plenty of hides. paper towel rolls are great. mine love them.

My 2 corns will be a year this Aug. '04. At about 7 months old mt Okeetee(Abbott line) started coming out of hiding and roaming around her terrerium being more active. However my Creamsicle is still extremely reclusive and likes to stay hidden. The Creamsicle does great handling and outside the cage for exercise(in my back yard/patio). I was worried to about thus reclusive behavior and I'm pretty confident she will grow out of it with time or it's just this particular snakes personality. For a young yearling snake of every species its instinctual for them to feel secure and hide because they are just about on every other animals menu as prey.
Happy Herping,
Uncloudy

Corns

Very normal for young corns. =)