Not using the hide.

[HerpKeeper72]

Boulder will go in the hide when walking around but doesnt stay long and never sleeps in it. He prefers to sleep face first in the corners. Any ideas? Also I have a "night" heat light (black light) so it puts off no light and I can use it 24/7 and use florescent uva for lighting. Could it be bad for him to never get away1 form the light/heat lamp? If so how do I remedy this?

 

[RiverRat]

I would not be to concerned that he isn't using the hide. It's there, readily available, so if he chooses to use it, so be it. It is possible that the little guy is just comfortable in his enclosure and has no need for the hide. Rodney will often sleep out in the open, legs all stretched out, neck extended, head at a weird angle, looking much like a horrible road kill accident. Then other times, he goes into the hide and stays there so long you would think he has escaped.
One thought, perhaps the hide is either to large to feel secure in, or too small to be comfortable. No harm is switching to a different one, and possibly moving it yo a favorite resting corner.

 

[Yvonne G]

I was also going to suggest moving the hide to the corner where he likes to sleep. Be sure to place the end of the hide up against the wall, making it a cave rather than a tunnel.

 

[HerpKeeper72]

I would not be to concerned that he isn't using the hide. It's there, readily available, so if he chooses to use it, so be it. It is possible that the little guy is just comfortable in his enclosure and has no need for the hide. Rodney will often sleep out in the open, legs all stretched out, neck extended, head at a weird angle, looking much like a horrible road kill accident. Then other times, he goes into the hide and stays there so long you would think he has escaped.
One thought, perhaps the hide is either to large to feel secure in, or too small to be comfortable. No harm is switching to a different one, and possibly moving it yo a favorite resting corner.

Thanks, thats great advice the hide very well could be too big and open, I just threw it together with extra wood we had lol.

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I was also going to suggest moving the hide to the corner where he likes to sleep. Be sure to place the end of the hide up against the wall, making it a cave rather than a tunnel.

It has a back I was wondering when I built it if it should have one. I may try that thank you, is it ok that it would then be on the warmer/ sunning side?

 

[Dizisdalife]

A hide does serve several purposes. The feeling of security and to get away from the light are certainly important. The main reason I used a hide in Chucks enclosure was to increase the humidity in a small area where he spent a lot of time. So, if I could have maintained high humidity levels throughout his enclosure I would not be too concerned where he slept. Chuck always preferred to sleep in his hide. And he had several as he grew from a few inches to over 10 inches. He would go into it every night and come out every morning after the light was turned on. On most days he would then be taken outside to his pen for the day.

Here is Chuck's last "hide". The top has been removed for the picture. It was entertaining watching him climb in and out of it each day. Watching him turn around was a laugh. He did it without destroying the hide.

 

[Tom]

Boulder will go in the hide when walking around but doesnt stay long and never sleeps in it. He prefers to sleep face first in the corners. Any ideas? Also I have a "night" heat light (black light) so it puts off no light and I can use it 24/7 and use florescent uva for lighting. Could it be bad for him to never get away1 form the light/heat lamp? If so how do I remedy this?

It sounds like you have a pretty open fronted hide. Can we see a pic? You might want to make a proper humid hide and teach him to use it by putting him in it every night after lights out.

Yes, it is really bad for him to never get out from under the light. It indicates that things are not warm enough. I would recommend against using the black light either day or night, but especially during the day. A CHE is a much better way to go. More efficient, longer lasting, and it keeps things dark at night.

What sort of florescent are you using? Is it the coil type cfl?

What are your four temps? Warm side, cool side, basking and night?