Babies prefer the cooler side?

I just got two baby corn snakes (about 2 weeks old), they've shed well and have just eaten last night. I've had them for about 2 weeks now in a 5.5 gallon tank with aspen bedding, two hide spots (one half on/half off the heating pad, around 82 f most times, monitored with an inside tank stick on thermometer) and the other completely off the pad on the other side.

When I handle them and put them back in, they always go into the one over the heating pad. However, when I look in on them later in the day they seem to always be in the one that's on the other side of the tank.

Our house is around 74 f most times, being in Florida.

The hut half on/half off the heat is made from cardboard and held together with tape, the inside painted black so it's darker. It's 3 inches wide, 2 inches tall, and 4 inches length wise with an inch hole cut into the front.

The other hide spot is a small porcelain flower pot with a crack in the side, with about a 3 inch diameter.

I was just wondering why they prefer the cooler hiding spot? I was thinking maybe it's because its smaller in size so they feel more comfortable? I'd switch the two but I'm not sure the smaller one would fit too well half on and half off the heating pad.

Most of mine spend all their time on the cool side, only going to the warm side to digest or if they're feeling off-colour. Perfectly normal.

Provide as many hides as will fit in the tank, all over the floor. That way you can be sure they're in their hide of choice. They don't have to be anything fancy - in fact my hatchlings are perfectly happy with crumpled up newspaper or kitchen paper.


P.S. Probably best to do some research on co-habbing on this board. In particular the risk of cannibalism, which is highest when they're hatchlings.

Also you might want to check that tape make sure your snake won't get stuck to it.

Are you using a thermostat to control the heat of the heatpad? If not then they may be staying on the cool side because the warm side is actually too hot. Most heatmats get to over 100*F without a thermomstat, which is way too hot for a corn snake.

Also, the stick on dial or strip thermometers can be very inaccurate, especially when stuck to the wall of the tank, as that is not where the snake hangs out, so you should try to invest in a digital thermometer with a probe to get a proper reading of the temperature.

As bitsy said, do a search on cohabitation on this forum, as you may be letting yourself in for problems if you're keeping them in the same tank.

Hope that's helped a little

You have been given some great advice.

My recommendation is to use empty toilet paper rolls instead of the hides made from cardboard and tape. Tape and snakes do not do well together. Most snakes love toilet paper rolls.