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Corn Snake doesn't like warmth?

Ocelot

Ocelot

New member
Hey guys. I got a new corn snake yesterday but it seems like he doesn't like the warm side of the viv. He usually stays in the corner of the cool side, either in his hide or behind artificial leaves. Now and then he would go to the warm side but not often. Why is this? Is it normal? The temp of the arm side is about 32C/90F.
 
most corns will spend most of their time on the cold side, mine do anyway.

Also i would lower your temps slightley to be about 84 on the warm side, thats their more comfortable captive heat on the warm side.
 
do you have a hide in the warm side? If so, then your snake is probably just lying in the hide where he prefers the temperature. If you don't, then the snake is choosing security over warmth by lying in the hide on the cool side.
 
Mine did that at first, always on cold side. Until i got a digital thermometer and realized that the substrate temp on the warm side was 105 degrees. How are you measuring temps? 90F is a little too warm for him, I keep my warm side substrate temp between 80F and 85F so try lowering the temp a little. a rheostat or thermostat on your heat source should do the trick, you can find information here about that, and how to build one. also if you use a UTH you can place tile, or glass, or some other surface between the UTH and the viv to disapate the heat. Good luck with your new corn.
 
Yeah I ordered a new thermostat. I got the temp from a digital thermometer. I have hides on both sides. What exactley should the temps be for each side? Also, I turn off the light at night, am I supposed to do that? And should I have to reduce the temperature for night time or is that optional. Thanks
 
90 degrees, WOW!

At those temps you have a "hot side" and a "not quite as hot side". :) Definitely drop you temps down closer to 80F.
 
While 90 is a big high (aim for 80-85), it's not unusual for a corn to explore the tank for a bit, then hide for a few days when moved into a new home (assuming it hasn't left the cool side, that is).
 
Are you using a heat lamp or UTH? If you're using a lamp, you might just want to get an UTH and not use the lamp. If you do use the heat lamp, you might want to use a red one so that you can leave it on to provide a consistent warm area for them to digest in.
 
I use a Heat mat and a 15 watt bulb. I got a proper thermometer, well one of those weather stations that has indoor/outdoor temps and humidity. Well currently the warm side is 25C/77F and the cool side is 21C/70F. Now should the weather station be lying down flat to get a proper reading or what? Also, what should the humidity be? Thanks.
 
You'll want to make sure it's reading the temperature at the substrate which is where the snake will be. You'll need to get that temp to about 82-86 degrees F on the warm side. Cool side around 72-74 degrees F. I wouldn't worry too much about humidity. They don't need very high humidity except at shedding time. Usually I mist the viv daily when they go in blue until they shed. You can also place a moist hide in there for them to use during that time.
 
Well can you give me a percentage so that I know what range to keep it in. Currently its about 52% Humidity.

The current temps are 31C/88F warm, 21C/70F cool side. Well the probe on the cool side is underneath the substrate so it might be a little inaccurate.

Do I have to feed my snake on the warm side? I heard that it needs to be warm for him to eat.

As soon as I get my thermostat should I just set the temperature for the warm side then just leave the cool side? Like can you change the temp of the cool side?
 
Ocelot said:
Well can you give me a percentage so that I know what range to keep it in. Currently its about 52% Humidity.
Click to expand...

As long as you snake sheds properly the humidity isn't of the slightest concern. You shouldn't have any issues at 50%.

Ocelot said:
The current temps are 31C/88F warm, 21C/70F cool side. Well the probe on the cool side is underneath the substrate so it might be a little inaccurate.
Click to expand...

Again, 88F is too high for your snake. The target you should shoot for is 80F (+/- a degree or two). Honestly, your cool end temp is of little value and will not drop any lower than the room temp. A warm spot is alll you should be worried about.

Ocelot said:
Do I have to feed my snake on the warm side? I heard that it needs to be warm for him to eat.
Click to expand...

No, that isn't the case. You snake can eat anywhere it feels comfortable in doing so. Most serious hobbyist recommend feeding in an entirely seperate container. The only part that heat plays in the equation is during digestion. That is why you need a warm spot around 80-82F.

Ocelot said:
As soon as I get my thermostat should I just set the temperature for the warm side then just leave the cool side? Like can you change the temp of the cool side?
Click to expand...

Forget the cool side and concentrate on the warm side. (See above)


Now for my .02: STOP WORRYING ABOUT DETAILS AND ENJOY YOUR SNAKE! :)

These guys are very easy going and adapt well to captive conditions. you are going to give yourself an ulcer with all this worrying. Relax, take a deep breath, and simmer down. :D
 
Hehe, yeah I have been asking a lot of questions but I just want everything to be right. One last question. Do snakes actually drink water because I've never seen him drink, at all.
 
Yes they do drink water, most (going off mine) dailly, usually after dark or after handling when you put the little one back & their still on your hand.
 
Well should I be worried if I didn't see him drink yet? Well he will drink if hes thirsty right? And does it matter about the water bowl? Its not eaxactley level with the substrate, and its about the width of your averag mug, maybe bigger.
 
With some snakes you almost never get to see them drink, whilst with others you will observe them drinking on regular occasions. Don't panic if you never see it - your snake will know what to do when the time comes whether you are around or not. I find that a number of my snakes drink after eating, and the females are always very thirsty after laying.

You water bowl should ideally be refilled daily so your snake always has access to fresh water, and should be large enough for your snake to bathe in.
 
My corns never use their warm sides in the summer. Only in the winter. And judging by the area of the cages they prefer at any given time, I'd say their most comfortable temps seem to be in middle 70's.
 
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