My Corn can also be active at any time of the day, sometimes I feel like even the weather change (upcoming rain or whatever) gets them riled up and looking for high ground (I have heard they can sense a change in the barometric pressure)
Anyway, as others have said if hes not coiled up and looking like he is going to strike, try getting him towards the center/back of the body and come up from underneath and support the front half of the body.
As for cages, what size/bedding/heat ect do you use?
I have mine in a front glass sliding animal plastics t8 (48x24x12) some may say that's excessive, but I feel he enjoys it, he eats very well and has ample hiding spots so I don't feel stress is an issue.
I use aspen snake bedding, and he seems to love it he has like an underground city of tunnels to roam though,
hope that helps!