Just a few questions...

[itsm3m0nty]

So I got my Corn snake and I have a few questions about what he's doing. I just got his habitat and everyhting set up and his heat lamp on, but a few times I notice that he burrows himself under the snake bedding. Is this because he is cooling himself off? Is this something I should be concerned with? Or he just getting use to his new home? I have the beginner brochure but it doesnt really go into much detail. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

[alessia55]

Burrowing is normal

If you'd like, you could give us a photo of your setup and its details (such as temperatures) and we could tell you if you've done it right

Congrats on your new scaly friend!

[Lankyrob]

You mean like this?


Totally natural, nothing to worry about at all

[itsm3m0nty]

Hello again. Here's his new home. I'm still slightly confused on the lighting set up. I was told by the petland folks that a redbulb would be fine as a 24hour light for him, but I was hoping to get some "firm" info on the whole thing. Also they recommended that he didnt need a heating pad since I have the light for him.

[Jlassiter]

No light at all and a heat pad is best.
He is burrowing to protect himself from the dry air.
The light is drying the air.
Although burrowing is normal, a colubrid does come out at night and hunt for prey.

[itsm3m0nty]

So then I dont really need the light. And a heating bad for him would be fine for him. Also I was given some advice about not feeding him in his habitat but maybe to feed him in a box so then that way if I ever want to handle him he wont always think its feeding time when I open his cage. Sorry I'm asking so many questions

[alessia55]

A few recommendations, if you don't mind...
1. Switch the light for an under tank heater.
2. The under tank heater ("heat mat") must be hooked up to a thermostat. A thermostat allows you to set the temperature for the heat mat, so that you don't accidentally cook your snake.
3. He needs a second hide. There should be one hide on each side of his enclosure, so that he can thermoregulate and feel safe doing so (at either side).

About feeding...
There is a myth that if you feed your snake inside his/her enclosure, they will begin to associate their cage with feeding time and will be more likely to bite you. This is not true! The same logic can be applied if you're feeding your snake outside the enclosure: they will begin to associate being taken out of their enclosure with feeding time and will be more likely to bite you. Neither scenarios are true. So long as your hand doesn't smell like rat, your snake won't associate your hand with food.

One reason to feed inside the enclosure is that it will reduce stress. Moving your snake out of the enclosure can be stressful and can cause your snake to refuse to eat. So I would encourage you to feed inside the enclosure

[Lankyrob]

One little addition to your tank would help, snakes need hides at both the hot AND cold end of the tank so taht they can hide and thermoregulate at the same time, chuck another hide in their and it may stop him needing to burrow (tho burrowing isnt an issue )