Are Corn Snakes Crepuscular? Noisy Nights & Early Mornings

Table of Contents

Are corn snakes crepuscular?

Corn snakes are indeed crepuscular. This means they are at their most active at dawn and dusk. Corn snakes take advantage of the early mornings when looking for a meal. They will set out early in search of a meal, burrowing into holes in hope to find a rodent which is still resting. At dawn corn snake are far less likely to become prey themselves. This is one of the safest times for corn snakes to be out and about. Corn snakes will take advantage of the morning sun. Basking, to raise their body temperature from the cold nights, as they do not have the ability to regulate their body temperatures like humans do.

Likewise, corn snakes can actually over heat. This inability to regulate their body temperature means they will continue to become hotter and hotter throughout the day. For this reason corn snakes actually use the time during the day to rest. They find a safe, cool location to relax for the day. Commonly under buildings, in/under logs or fallen trees and under rocks. All these locations will be cool throughout the day and offer a safe place to rest from other predators.

Mice and rats, which are the most common prey for a corn snakes, are actually crepuscular/nocturnal. This means that dusk is the perfect time for a corn snake to find a meal. Rodents seem to become active in the evenings and throughout the night, so this makes perfect sense why a corn snake becomes active again in the evenings.

(Please scroll down to the bottom of the page to find ‘Other related articles you might like’, once you are done reading).

Does this mean they’re only active at these times?

Corn snakes are active during the day when they want to be. For example if they haven’t had a meal for a few days, then they will commonly be out during the day time climbing trees looking for nest. They know that birds will take flight during the day to look for food, meaning their eggs may be left unattended. This makes an easy meal for a corn snake. Thats as long as they don’t get caught in the act.

As mentioned before, corn snakes love to bask. Which means they take full advantage of the morning sun. They use this to warm themselves up, as well as using it to completely dry their skin out. When a corn snake needs to shed its skin, it will typically spend more time in the sun then it usually would.

Why isn’t my corn snake active during the day?

Corn snakes are neither nocturnal or diurnal, however their most active times are mornings and evenings, (dawn and dusk) as this is the safest time from them to find a meal out in the wild. So don’t be alarmed if your corn snake doesn’t seem very active during the day. During the day corn snakes are usually resting, keeping out of sight from any predators, so tend to venture out early morning, or in the evening when the light starts to fade.

Corn snakes do need a regular day/night cycle though. So having your corn snake in a room with a window and accessible to natural lighting will make for a much healthier living style for your corn snake. If this isn’t possible them having a light on a timer will be just as good. This method is used like humans, to gauge when they should be resting.

Are corn snakes nocturnal?

Corn snakes are neither nocturnal or diurnal, however their most active times are mornings and evenings (dawn and dusk) as this is the safest time from them to find a meal out in the wild. So don’t be alarmed if your corn snake doesn’t seem very active during the day. During the day corn snakes are usually resting, keeping out of sight from any predators, so tend to venture out early morning, or in the evening when the light starts to fade.