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  1. #1
    Forum Moderator infernalis's Avatar
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    Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    It's that time of year again, The north winds are blowing, the leaves are all but out of the trees, days are shorter and our snakes are behaving strangely.

    So I figured we could share our thoughts on how the season changes the way we care for our reptilian friends.

    Many homes have forced air heating, you know the kind that blows heated air out of those registers on the floor. The kind that makes your sofa toasty by blowing up under it.

    Forced air heating is bad for snakes and wood stoves even worse.

    If you burn coal, pellets, oil, wood or propane in anything other than a boiler system, you will have very dry parched air in your home all winter long.

    Extra steps to keep humidity levels acceptable may be necessary.

    A kettle of water sitting on the stove, set a container of water near the register where your reptiles are located. Mist your enclosures from time to time, or shedding problems may arise.

    Whenever you are leaving, don't forget you have reptiles at home, Turning down the thermostat to save energy is not so much an option anymore.

    A propane or kerosene heater would be a sensible back up in case of utility failure. (Remember, Ice storms bring down wires a lot)

    No power can be a disaster for reptiles in the winter, so get a backup heater and be prepared. (Try showing up at your aunts with buckets of snakes asking for a place to stay while the power is out)

    Any other thoughts ??.....

  2. #2
    Thamnophis inspectus Zephyr's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    We lost power last winter; I think my reptiles actually enjoyed it. It lasted for about 3 days, and the temps in our house (it's older with fair but not excellent insulation) only dropped to about 74.
    0.1 Storeria dekayi
    Hoping to get some T. s. sirtalis High-Reds next summer!


  3. #3
    Thamnophis Addict Sid's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    Good idea to start this thread, Wayne. I keep a kerosene heater on hand and ready to go if absolutely needed. You can never tell whether or not there could be a power outage. If I ever have to use it, I'll keep a door slightly ajar for ventilation.

    I also keep stocked well ahead on food items for all the critters. Ice is not a normal probelm here in South Carolina, but you never can tell.
    Sid
    9.14 T. s sirtalis, 2.2. T. ordinoides, 1.1 T. e vagrans, 1.1 T. s parietalis,
    1.0 T. s sackenii- Peninsular Ribbon

  4. #4
    In Hog Heaven
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    OH MY GODS. I never ever THOUGHT about a power outage!

    What do I need/need to do in case of one?

    Me, the dogs and the cats can snuggle up - I can go to work...

    But my sniglette babies!!!!!
    2.0 NY Eastern Garters; Peepers, Jeepers
    3.1 Western Hoggies; Kenabec, Niizh, Kokopelli, Anasazi
    3.0 Puget Garters; Kunikpok, Tungortok, 'Rockster
    1.0 Eastern Milk; Carmello

  5. #5
    Forum Moderator infernalis's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    If you have a smaller apartment MK, they sell a small heater that screws onto a BBQ tank and it Kicks out some warmth for about $30

    It's commonly found in sporting goods, used by hunters to warm up in a duck blind.

  6. #6
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    Be sure you well ventilate the room anytime you use a heater. Electric are safe but fuel burners are a death trap. Carbon Monoxide: Silent, odorless and colorless. No wonder it has the nickname "Silent Killer".

  7. #7
    Forum Moderator infernalis's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    Great point...

    I use electric radiant in the reptile room.

    For emergency we have this propane construction heater, I run it in the basement, and it cranks out enough that it passes through the floors and heats the upstairs just fine.

  8. #8
    Adult snake olive oil's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    We don't have central heat. While we are home we run those ceramic oil radiators. Works pretty good-one in each room,but when we are gone we turn them off for safety reasons.
    So when we return home we use a propane heater until the house warms up again. We start it and turn it off outside. Is this going to hurt the snakes? Thanks for bringing this up Dekay.

    Zoe

  9. #9
    Forum Moderator infernalis's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    Down in the south there is only a very few days each year that could be a problem.

    A small oil filled radiator in the room with your snakes would be a safe bet.

  10. #10
    Adult snake olive oil's Avatar
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    Re: Winter care - Tips and thoughts

    But, what about the fumes from the propane?

    Zoe

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