CA Kingsnake dislikes hollow rock?

[robert177]

Hello all, I am excited to be here.

I became the owner of a gorgeous 2.5-ft gorgeous California King Snake 3 months ago. He is a great eater, and very energetic.

I need some advice on enclosure design. He now has a decent size cube-shaped terrarium, and he likes to climb. I built him a custom "jungle gym" from sections of cut and hollow PVC pipe, and he likes to climb through the various tunnels and play "peek a boo" from various locations where it sticks up.

My issue is where he prefers to hide on the floor of the aquarium. I used to have a 4 x 7" plastic Tupperware lid on the floor, and he would hide and sleep under that. I wanted to get him something classier and "snakier" looking, so on eBay I bought him a large Exo Terra Snake cave.

But, after a week or so, he refuses to go inside it, even though it looks cozy, contains his regular lizard litter, sits above the warm spot, and is big enough for him.

It's very frustrating. Is there something I don't understand about CA Kingsnakes ? Do they not like to go hide inside hollow rocks?

Thanks,
Robert

[prairiepanda]

It could be that the cave is too large, making him feel insecure, or too small, making it hard for him to fit. Or it could be too hot inside the cave; have you tried sticking a temperature probe in there?

[daisymaisy]

I agree, they like hiding spots that are not much bigger than they are when coiled up. Could you fit the Tupperware under the snake cave? That way he has his hide out but the cage looks more naturally decorated. My snakes seem to favor the least "nice" looking hiding places. Ratty bits of folded cardboard over a nice naturalistic hiding spot. Little ding dongs. Eye of the beholder I guess! :)

[jjhill001]

Tight and cozy is how most reptiles prefer their hiding spots. I've found that cork flats available at many vivarium design stores (IE Dart Frog Places) make fantastic hides that look natural and snakes love them.

[Obsidian_Dragon]

My king refuses to use reptile basics hides. REFUSES--goes on a feeding strike, pouts while crammed in a corner of the enclosure under a plant, the whole deal.

Sometimes they just have weird *** opinions about hides.

That said, he doesn't use his cave either--it's too big for him to find it appealing, I think, so right now it's in there as decor and to hold up a branch, haha. Half logs, even though not ideal hides by normal snake standards, are his favorite thing. Go figure, right?

Paper towel tubes are great, too--if you want it more natural looking, just bury it under some substrate.

[riddick07]

My king doesn't seem to like hides either and I've tried a couple. I haven't picked up a half log yet to try (I'm guessing he will like that though since every single snake I have likes them...he just doesn't have one yet). I found he either just sits out or hides under the shavings....he is one of my stranger ones.