Corn snakes can sometimes end up loose and escape their enclosure. That’s because, like most other creatures, they’re curious and love exploring. They especially enjoy finding tight spaces that they can squeeze themselves into.
So, if you notice your corn snake is nowhere in its enclosure, chances are, it’s worked its way through a tiny hole and is currently exploring all the nooks and crannies in your home.
If this has ever happened with your snake, there’s no need to panic. In this article, we’ll help you find your pet reptile as we answer the question: where do corn snakes hide in your house?
Where Can I Find My Corn Snake Hiding In the House?
Before searching inside your house for your lost pet, ensure there are no open windows, doors, or holes leading outside. Once you’re confident there’s no way out, begin looking inside the house. Ask yourself, “If I were a corn snake, where would I go?”
Corn snakes like to bury themselves and hide in warm secluded places to protect themselves. Unfortunately, you’re most likely to find them in some dark, hard-to-reach areas in your home, so be ready to get down and dirty as you go through all the possible hiding spots.
Possible Hiding Spots in Your House for Your Corn Snake
Begin by checking every room, from top-to-bottom, without missing any possible corn snake hiding zones. Remember to bring a flashlight and a compact mirror to make it easier to spot them, especially if your snake is hiding in a tight, dark corner.
Having a checklist of all the possible hiding places can be handy and efficient. Tick each place off once you’ve made sure there’s no snake before moving on to the next.
A corn snake feels more protected when concealed. Here are a few possible places where your snake might feel cozy and secure:
- The first place you’ll have to check is under your corn snake’s enclosure. There’s a good chance your pet hasn’t gotten far yet, especially if you’ve just noticed it’s missing.
- Corn snakes could also be hiding behind or under different types of furniture, so check between cushions or in gaps in the fabric of your furniture pieces.
- Another good hiding spot for a Corn snake would be kitchen cabinets.
- Search through the books on your shelves, inside vases, and behind all the decorative items on your shelves.
- Anything hollow inside and has an opening can be inviting to your corn snake, including shoe boxes, garbage cans, hampers, jars, pipes, and so on.
- Curtains and blinds can also serve as hiding places for your corn snake, so don’t forget to carefully take a peek behind them.
- The toilet tank also makes a good hiding spot, so take a look there as well.
What Will Happen if I Don’t Find My Corn Snake?
Here’s something to give you peace of mind: your corn snake is a survivalist. If they find a dry, cool place to hide, and some rodents to hunt, they can stay hidden inside your home for up to a month, sometimes more.
Nevertheless, it’s always better to know that your pet is safe in its tank instead of wandering around your house where it can get hurt or scare your guests.
Why Does My Corn Snake Hide All the Time?
Despite being able to tolerate human interaction, corn snakes are generally shy. They constantly seek shelter in dimly-lit areas. So, if you’re wondering why your corn snake is always hiding in its enclosure, it’s because it’s nocturnal.
In the wild, you can often find corn snakes hiding or curled up in piles of wood, log, and rocks. Although their eyesight is poor, it’s not a problem even in the dark because they rely on their other senses to forage and hunt.
That’s why it’s considered natural for a corn snake to hide and seek refuge in cramped spaces.
So, if you can provide more hiding spots for your Corn snake in its tank, it’ll feel more secure from the elements, especially during the day. This way, it won’t have to leave its home to look for a hiding spot; it can hide away as much as it wants right there in the tank.
Why Does My Corn Snake Bury Itself?
Sometimes, we jump to the conclusion believing that the snake has escaped, when, all the while, it was just hiding in the substrate. Yet, here is a fun fact: snake burying is one of these reptiles’ favorite pastimes.
The science behind it is that reptiles are cold-blooded animals, or what the experts refer to as ectothermic. They rely on their surroundings to control their body temperature. So, if it gets too cold inside its tank, your snake will bury itself to stay warm and to feel protected.
Another reason your snake buries itself in the bedding of its tank is that there’s not enough space to roam around, which can cause it to feel stressed and anxious. As a result, it’ll continually bury itself and become more sluggish to avoid having to deal with a crowded tank.
That’s why it’s crucial to provide your snake with a tank suitable for its size.
Final Thoughts
Corn snakes are impressive escape artists. So, if they feel they’re not getting everything they need from within their tank, they’ll look for it outside.
Hopefully, you can use this guide to help answer, “Where do corn snakes hide in your house?” Now, it’s easier to narrow down all the possible hiding spots your corn snake could have squeezed into.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Film/Video/Media Studies, as well as an associates degree in Communications. I began producing videos and musical recordings nearly 15 years ago. I am a guitarist and bassist in Southwest MI and have been in a few different bands since 2009, and in 2012 I began building custom guitars and basses in my home workshop as well. When I’m home, I love spending time with my three pets (a dog, cat, and snake) and gardening in my backyard. I also like photographing wild birds, especially birds of prey.