If you are knowledgeable with electrical systems, then you may want to use a separate ON/OFF controller to control the temps rather than the internal thermostat.

Many fridges control temperature by ON/OFF switching to a compressor or other mechanism that uses house power. If that is so in yours, then a qualified person can wire a separate t-stat in. The warranty of the fridge will be void at that point, but it will probably work better .

Something like a Johnson Controls or Ranco ON/OFF thermostat that has Cool mode (most have both heat and cool mode settings). These controllers are extremely reliable - more so typically than thermostats that come with small fridges.

You can also use an external controller as a safety. Set that for your absolute lowest temperature, then use the internal controller for what you want. For example, set the fridge controller for 50 deg and set the external Johnson or Ranco ON/OFF thermostat for 48 deg. This way, the animals are safe if the internal thermostat fails ON = cool. I know hoggies are tough snakes and can handle cold temps, but still.

Don't do anything you are not comfortable doing, and all wires/connections must be enclosed. The mentioned thermostats already come in NEMA-rated boxes that meet/exceed home ratings. Please refer to a qualified electrician before attempting any mods. Bad and/or exposed wiring is not a good thing.

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