Bashful Corn?

[blindfireak40]

Hey, I was just wanting to take a bit of a survey of the corn owners here. My little guy(gal?) is veeeery very shy. I've never caught him above substrate, in the weeks before purchase when I dropped by, nor once I had him home. He was perfectly fine with handling, both in the pet store and just prior to his recent feeding. I have not been musked on, and all of his movements have been calm and deliberate, so I'm reasonably certain that he's not overly stressed.

This is all leading up to my actual question: How many of you have corns that are like this? Typically hidden away, and not on display to the general public? Is this something that they grow out of? Again, he seems to be totally fine with handling, just once he is returned to his terrarium, he looks around for a second, then makes for one of his hides, and burrows back under his aspen. For my own peace of mind, I'd like to be able to see him, but this is an unlikely prospect as of right now.

Thanks again! I'm sure I'm just being a worrywort new parent type, but reassurance is good

[NennaMeerkat]

My two ALWAYS hid when they were in their home. When they were out they were all over the place cruising around. They were also vigerous eaters, never missed a meal and enjoyed "hunting" when they were fed.

So I wouldn't worry to much as long as he is eating well and not stressed when out of his home I would just let it go.

[blindfireak40]

Mmmm'k, thanks

It's just maaajorly different from the first snake I had. I had a baby ball back about 8 years ago, and he was awfully neat. Very calm, very sweet, good eater, but as an early teenager with no income, I had to use newspaper as a substrate. He had the necessary hides and whatnot, but with the paper I got used to being able to tell at a glance whether he was there or not.

Now I have about 600 cubic inches of aspen to hide about 3 cubic inches of snake, because I have enough income to buy substrate for him. So I suppose I'll have to keep playing Needle in the Haystack 'til he's older, huh?

[NennaMeerkat]

Well you *could* get the reptile carpet if you honestly really wanted to see him but he would be much happier with his aspen. With enough practice I bet you will be able to simply look at his tank and be able to find him. I am sure you want a happy snake rather than being able to see him all the time right?

Eventually he might come out, but my full grown snakes never did come up from hiding usually except when they were eating. Then they would try to be at the top waiting for me to get them out and put them in their feeding box.

[blindfireak40]

Hahaha, yes, of course his happiness and health is foremost for me. I'm hopin' for this little guy to tide me over for a while...already after the week or two I've had him I'm already itching to get me another one

Maybe a Boa or Python next...I just worry about IBD sometimes.

[NennaMeerkat]

I might be a little bias but have you thought about a hognose snake? They require basically the same as your corn and are usually very mild snakes.

[blindfireak40]

Hmmm, perhaps, perhaps. They're rear-fanged, right? I might just do that...and based on the pictures I'm seeing from google images, I could have a Fettuccine to keep little Vermicelli company

[NennaMeerkat]

They are really enduring little snakes to be sure. Hard not to fall in love with those little upturned snout and always smiling faces.

[Reptile_Reptile]

my corn does that too. (although not right now) but i have to say all snakes are different.

[Lankyrob]

Two of my three corns i never see unless i hunt for them. the other is out constantly (and my adult is currently out as he is looking for Luuuurve!!!)

[blindfireak40]

Awesome, thanks guys! I think you all may be the best resource available to herpers of any skill and or experience level!!

[Marica]

Most of my Corns, esp. my babies are almost never out and sometimes I have to take everything out of their vivs to find them. I catch my older ones out more often, but usually late in the evenings.

[blindfireak40]

Another question: He tends to stay on the cold side of the enclosure; even just now when I checked to make sure he was still there, he was on the cool side, and he should currently be digesting. He has two hides on the warm side, and of course has bedding to burrow into. Should I worry about this, or is he likely doing just fine and I'm just over-analyzing still?

[NennaMeerkat]

What you got on the warm side? As far as heat goes.

[blindfireak40]

Smallish heating pad under the tank, taped to the bottom, and a 75-watt basking bulb, keeps hotspot at about 83 during the "day", drops to about 70-72 at night on hot side.