Keeping to himself?

[ibetheelmo]

Hello all! I have a amal corn that is roughly 5 months old. When takin out, he loves to try and explore my shirt, or just twist about my fingers to where he's always looking at my face, its absolutely adorable. Here is my issue though, I notice pictures of people corns that are in trees in the viv, or exploring about, yet mine only seems to stay in his hide... I see him MAYBE once a day go out really quick to drink water, then immidiatly back under his hide. He has a new branch that he once climbed on, but then went right back under the hide...

Here is the current setup.


Warm side Cold side

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG

Half log hide water dish 'turtle' shell hide
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Heat pad


The turtle shell hide is where he ALWAYS is. Unlikde the half log, which has an opening on either side, the turtle shell only has one opening, so I figure that is why its his favorite. At first I thought he just enjoyed the cool side, but even when I put it on the warm side, he goes straight underneath it.
at about 3am I'll sometimes see him go from one side, under the aspen, then back to turtle shell, but other than that and water, he hardly leaves. Should I be concerned? Does it mean I need more things in there for him to explore?

Thoughts? Id love to see my corn more...

(Also, he gets held roughly 30 mins to an hour a day and hasn't ever gotten 'testy' or anything when being held, he seems to dislike getting put back.)

 

[ibetheelmo]

Edit:
This is the setup...didn't show up how I wanted it too...

Warm side----------------------------- Cold side

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOG

Half log-------- hide water dish------ 'turtle' shell hide
ASSSSSPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNN
ASSSSSPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNN
ASSSSSPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNN
Heat pad

 

[bitsy]

Corns are most active at times of low or no light - dawn, dusk and overnight. In the wild, they'd hide away and sleep all day. You do get the occasional photo opportunity, but most of mine won't stir while the sun's properly up. Some get more adventurous as they grow and become more confident, so there's a chance you might see more of yours over the coming months and years. But maybe not!

They do tend to like enclosed hides rather than open ones, which is probably why he chooses the shell hide. Try something "unfancy" at the opposite end - like a cereal box with a hole cut in it. Doesn't have to be fancy - they don't care, they just want to feel secure and hidden.

Or you could buy some plastic foliage and put it at both ends of the log hide, to make it feel more enclosed inside. You could also lay some plastic foliage in the area which is just plain aspen. If he isn't a burrower by nature, he might find that part of the tank a bit exposed and not be inclined to use it. Some ground cover might encourge him to move around more. They don't really appreciate open spaces - in the wild, they'd be vulnerable to predators if they were out in the open. They like to stay out of sight.

Most of mine spend their time at the cool end anyway, so that in itself isn't a cause for concern. It's good for them to have the right type of hide in both warm and cool zones though, so they get a choice and feel safe in both.