Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Neffy · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject: hiding all the time?

Hey all,

My carolina hatchling is hiding all the time and isn't very active, even late at night she stays hidden in her log. The only time she comes out is when there's food there for her or she wants to poop. I haven't even had the chance to handle her with her being in the log all the time, i don't really want to shake the log to get her out and stress her.
Is this normal behaviour for a hatchling?

Stuart · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:25 pm Post subject:

being so young it will feel vunerable and I would say it probably does come out at times throughout the night...has it got more than one hide?..and is it positioned over the heat?..
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Neffy · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:41 pm Post subject:

she has 2 hides one at the warm end and one at the cold end, plus she has a hollow log which is placed in the middle of her little tank ( thats where she spends all her time).
I really want to start getting her used to me, by some short handling sessions and to keep a check on her overall look but never see her actively roaming round her tank. I'm usually up till around 1am but still don't see her.
I know she does come out at sometime because she leaves me little poops to clean up the next morning.

Stuart · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:45 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't worry too much for now as long as the snake is feeding and there are no symptoms of illness I would just let it adjust to its surroundings..some are more timid than others but once settled I am positive you will see more of her.. Cool

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Neffy · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:

okay thx for your help again stuart, really appreciate it Smile

Stuart · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 2:57 pm Post subject:

No probs..keep us updated on how she does.. Cool

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Snowy · Contributing Member Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 179

I have agree when I got my first corn it stayed hidden for quite some time only coming out to relieve itself and to eat, even then it was like one of those old money boxes the head shot out grabbed the pinky and disappeared again.

I found that using half a long carboard tube to connect one end with the other helped to make it easier for him to move about to thermoregulat as it covered the entire length of the enclousure. This also helped with handling as it was just lifted off to gain access. Then when I was putting him back, I pointed his head towards the opening of the tube and let him go at his own pace. AS time went by the length of time he took to go back in lengthened as he realised I wasn't going to eat him.

Jase · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:58 pm Post subject:

I bought a nice lil striped corn a couple of weeks ago, I only see her at feeding time - if i'm lucky! Sometimes she hides until i've gone then eats. Don't worry about it. Very Happy

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A lil bit of Madagascar

Neffy · Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject:

Nice idea that snowy, the log that she's in now makes it a little difficult to get access to her, unless of course i shake her out of it which i really think would be a bad idea to say the least .

Thx for the replies ppl, at least i know her hiding is pretty normal and it's not me doing something to upset her.

Neffy · Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:25 am Post subject:

i checked on her this morning and her eyes are blue so im guessing she'll soon shed. Maybe thats another reason for her hiding, this will be her first shed since i've got her so hopefully it won't be a bad one.