thermo regulation

[danna-blue]

I have a young amel cornsnake. The vivarium is 24 x 15 x 18 inch with a 11 x 7 inch heat mat under one end. The temperature at the warm end is 82 degrees. The temperature at the cool end is 76 degrees. I have some overlapping stones at the cool end to create a partial hide and one of those small plastic manufactured stone effect hides at the warm end. However, if there is no hide at the warm end the snake goes to the hide at the cool end but if you have a hide at the warm end the snake uses that so the snake is not really thermo regulating it is just going to the place where the hide is. So the question is how can you make the snake thermo regulate properly, i.e. moving away from the warm end to the cool end and back again rather than just sitting in one place all day?

 

[CAV]

Interesting question

You can't "make" them thermo-regulate. The snake's instincts provide all of the input they need to survive. Remember that your corn can adjust to a wide variety of evnironments. After all, their natural range is New Jersey to Florida! The difference between 77-82 degrees is really not that significant. If the snake is hot or cold, it will move as comfort demands.

 

[rachel132002]

I have a hide at both ends and when I first got my corn I thought the same thing that it only felt secure in the one i bought as opposed ot the one i made, then one night I couldn't sleep and noticed it moving to the cooler end. So you need to remember they're really shy animals and the chances are their movement happens at night when they think nobody's around and they're safe!

Rach

 

[danna-blue]

Thanks! Was just worried there was something not quite right but you have put my mind at rest.