Stays in cold hide ALL the time

[shelpen]

I have a very happy snake apparently. (the one that you don't see...)
Morty always stays in the cold hide.
Unless he is in shed and only after I put him in the hot hide.
Even if I put him in the hot hide (after a handling session) he moves to the cold one within half an hour.
What is this?
Should I be concerned?


He is in 20g aquarium, on paper towels, 2 identical hides (reptilebasics), water bowl, branch + vines
Hot side: +- 90, UTH w/ranco
Cold side: +- 80, dips to +-77 at night
Humidity: 50%
He is 26" and 380g, a year old.
Eats rat pups every 5 days.

[Eric Alan]

Doesn't sound like you have anything to be worried about. My only thought, and even this is a stretch, is about the glass aquarium. Do you have the sides and/or back covered to give him a little more security? If not, maybe there's something outside of the tank that he doesn't like on the warm side for one reason or another. Realistically, though, it's probably nothing. Especially since the rest of the husbandry looks on point and he's eating/pooping/shedding normally.

It's good to remember that these are cooler temperature animals than we usually give them credit for which occasionally take advantage of a hot spot - not the other way around.

[shelpen]

My only thought, and even this is a stretch, is about the glass aquarium. Do you have the sides and/or back covered to give him a little more security? If not, maybe there's something outside of the tank that he doesn't like on the warm side for one reason or another.

That was my thinking process too. So I gave him a rather long string of vines... But the sides are not covered -- will do that ASAP.

The only reason I worry is my other BP (normal, 36", 650g, age unknown but seems to be a young adult) is almost always "chills" in the hot hide. The temps in his enclosure are more stable but he has identical set-up on a bit bigger scale...
Different personalities due to age/size maybe?

[Eric Alan]

Different personalities due to age/size maybe?

Maybe. And maybe not even the age/size bit. They all have their quirks. As long as they're being cared for and thriving, I chalk it up to regular differences in BP behavior.

[noodlestsc]

I wouldn't worry about it. As much as the general holy guide is that BP's will typically stay in their warm hide, they are still an animal with a brain and each one is different. As long as your husbandry is ok which it seems to be, it could be that's just where he wants to be.

Recently my guy decided for a week and a half to chill between his water bowl and side of tank. Nothing changed in his husbandry. Only went in to his warm hide right after feed, but within hours went back to his open air spot. Didn't worry me, in fact I thought to myself "yay, I get to actually see my BP for once"

[shelpen]

I chalk it up to regular differences in BP behavior.

Thank you!
I feel better... less worried...