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Corn not active enough?

britbiker Jan 12, 2005 10:48 AM

My snow corn seems to rarely emerge from his hide box. Is it because it's winter? Or is the cage not warm enough or what? He's eaten recently, but I hardly ever see him out day or night. Of course, perhaps he's partying in the wee hours of the morning when I'm asleep. Opinions?

Replies (5)

spook Jan 12, 2005 12:59 PM

It's partying 'til the wee hours. It's disturbing, but they are perfectly happy without our contact. (Just drop in an occasional mouse and leave me alone.) I often try to kid myself by believing my oldest corn likes contact with me, but.......he probably just puts up with me. I work until very late at night, so when my snakes are out when I turn on the light I make believe they have been waiting up for me.
I guess it's hard for us to believe reptile are incapable of returning our affection/attention. Every once in a while remind your self that they have almost no human charicteristics except fear and hunger.

britbiker Jan 12, 2005 01:05 PM

I realize corns have no need for interacting with humans. I've just read in corn snake manuals that they are "curious" animals that like to explore their environment and the such. I don't mind that he doesn't come out and wag his tail every time I enter the room (I've got a dog for that). But is it normal for a snake too spend so much time in his hide box and make no attempt (that I've witnessed) to crawl around and explore his/her environment? I worry that he doesn't have enough heat, cage is not set up right or something similar. Thanks.

spook Jan 12, 2005 01:19 PM

I have noticed that the only time mine are really actice is when it's close to feeding time or I'm a day or two past. Then they, especially my older male, will turn the insides of the cage over. I think they're hunting.

Kel Jan 12, 2005 01:21 PM

Mine slow down a lot at this time of year. There are three or four that I don't see out at all unless I take them out to feed or clean. As you have a male, I suspect you'll see a frantic burst of activity in the next couple of months as he gets in the mood for luurve.

Having said that, if you're concerned about the setup perhaps you could give a quick overview of it so that folks here can spot any potential problems. Might put your mind at rest if nothing else. I'm thinking of things like how big is the viv, temperatures at the warm and cool end, if you use lighting what sort, what type of/how many hides, what substrate, where the viv is in the house (busy or quiet area) etc. Also how often are you feeding him and what sized mice is he eating at the moment. As a matter of interest, how big is he and how old? That would be useful to know as well.

Hopefully you'll find that all is well and he's just uncharacteristically quiet due to the time of year.

crtoon83 Jan 12, 2005 02:39 PM

kel asked the important questions. (Quote from his post) I'm thinking of things like how big is the viv, temperatures at the warm and cool end, if you use lighting what sort, what type of/how many hides, what substrate, where the viv is in the house (busy or quiet area) etc. Also how often are you feeding him and what sized mice is he eating at the moment. As a matter of interest, how big is he and how old? That would be useful to know as well.

Thats all basic information... because any one of those could influence if he's going to be out more or not.
-----
-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

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