Curious Behavior

[Shayne]

So, here’s where my lil’ buddy decided to go about 30 min. ago, for no obvious reason. Ambient temp. is 80, hot hide 89, cool hide 84, humidity still a bit low at 47 but I’m actively working on that. Any idea why he would go there and just chill?


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[Bogertophis]

The readily-available hides didn't meet his approval for snug fit (aka "back pressure") to simulate a cave safe from predators. Work on the hides & make the
backing inaccessible...he's not the first to go there.

[Shayne]

The readily-available hides didn't meet his approval for snug fit (aka "back pressure") to simulate a cave safe from predators. Work on the hides & make the
backing inaccessible...he's not the first to go there.

Oh my god....makes perfect sense cause his hides ARE too big! He could fit 2 of his size in there. Thanks so much!!


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[Shayne]

Just ordered 2 new small hides.

Thanks again!

[Bogertophis]

Sometimes you can improve such 'hides' by crumpling a paper towel or two & stuff them in. Keep in mind snakes prefer hides with doorways just big enough
to fit thru (with a meal) & that some commercially-available hides have lovely dramatic 'doorways' that snakes hate. They make them so people can see their
pets, but snakes feel stressed & vulnerable...same goes for those open-ended tree bark tunnels...they're fine as "cage furniture" but not actually as hides. I
like to use them sometimes in front of their actual hides...like the protected canopy in front of a fine hotel, -they work fine that way. It's all about privacy.

Snakes don't like high ceilings either. Just think of a home decor magazine, & do the opposite for a snake, lol...

[FollowTheSun]

Sometimes you can improve such 'hides' by crumpling a paper towel or two & stuff them in. Keep in mind snakes prefer hides with doorways just big enough
to fit thru (with a meal) & that some commercially-available hides have lovely dramatic 'doorways' that snakes hate. They make them so people can see their
pets, but snakes feel stressed & vulnerable...same goes for those open-ended tree bark tunnels...they're fine as "cage furniture" but not actually as hides. I
like to use them sometimes in front of their actual hides...like the protected canopy in front of a fine hotel, -they work fine that way. It's all about privacy.

Snakes don't like high ceilings either. Just think of a home decor magazine, & do the opposite for a snake, lol...

Yes, Bogertrophis is absolutely right and gave me the same advice a week ago, and it worked! As soon as I stuffed some crumbled paper towels into the hides, my snake started using them. By the way, here is my little girl doing the same thing as your snake. I ended up removing the styrofoam decorative background and it looks better without it. And, the background makes a perfectly fitted cover for the top of the enclosure to allow for some airflow while blocking drafts and keeping in some humidity.





And this is her tail sticking out of her hide after I put some paper towels in there to lower the ceiling and make the doorway smaller

[Bogertophis]

Great snakes think alike!

[Shayne]

Sometimes you can improve such 'hides' by crumpling a paper towel or two & stuff them in. Keep in mind snakes prefer hides with doorways just big enough
to fit thru (with a meal) & that some commercially-available hides have lovely dramatic 'doorways' that snakes hate. They make them so people can see their
pets, but snakes feel stressed & vulnerable...same goes for those open-ended tree bark tunnels...they're fine as "cage furniture" but not actually as hides. I
like to use them sometimes in front of their actual hides...like the protected canopy in front of a fine hotel, -they work fine that way. It's all about privacy.

Snakes don't like high ceilings either. Just think of a home decor magazine, & do the opposite for a snake, lol...

Okay, you have a natural gift when it comes to explaining things to a complete noob such as myself, and for that, I thank you. Everything you've just said makes perfect sense to me. I do have one of those open-ended logs you're talking about. May just use your idea once he settles back down.

I did crumple up a paper towel and stick it in both hides, gently removed him from his forbidden hideout, placed him back in the tank and he went directly into the hide and has been there for over an hour now.

Yes, Bogertrophis is absolutely right and gave me the same advice a week ago, and it worked! As soon as I stuffed some crumbled paper towels into the hides, my snake started using them. By the way, here is my little girl doing the same thing as your snake. I ended up removing the styrofoam decorative background and it looks better without it. And, the background makes a perfectly fitted cover for the top of the enclosure to allow for some airflow while blocking drafts and keeping in some humidity.





And this is her tail sticking out of her hide after I put some paper towels in there to lower the ceiling and make the doorway smaller

Wow!! Where there's a will there's a way, right?? I didn't realize they wanted to feel "hugged" THAT much. This is just one more reason why I've fallen hard for the love of snakes recently. There's soo much to learn and it's just so rewarding when you actually do something right and it pays off by seeing them go from stressed to "relaxed" and comfy.

Your enclosure looks fantastic, BTW! I need more debris.

[Craiga 01453]

If they can fit, they eventually will. They love tight spaces where they feel secure and safe from predators.

Although those backgrounds look nice, they're not very practical. I'll think you'll find that most experienced keepers don't use them. They're more of a pain than the benefit of aesthetics is worth.

[Shayne]

If they can fit, they eventually will. They love tight spaces where they feel secure and safe from predators.

Although those backgrounds look nice, they're not very practical. I'll think you'll find that most experienced keepers don't use them. They're more of a pain than the benefit of aesthetics is worth.

Well, I mainly got them to make him feel a bit more safe & secure but maybe I can just wrap the outside with something else. Gonna finish plugging that hole and see how he does for a bit.

Thanks for the insight!