Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well up until now I could still say that I was only giving the snakes equal time. They had their own room, food freezer, plates, bowls and bedding. Separate but equal. But I could still say that they weren't getting treated any better than me and my family.

Now I've stepped over the line and need to get help. The snakes now have their own air conditioner, the only one in the house. What's next, plasma hi def TV? Pilates classes?

Well it is a maternity ward, I guess I have to make allowances.

Oh well.

Don't beat yourself up over this--it happens. We purchased a generator in case we lose power--hooked it up in readiness to the air conditioner/heater in the herp room & freezer full of rats. In case of a weather emergency/power outage, all humans and fur balls head in that direction. It's also where the portable TV,extra kibble and bottled water are stored. At least we don't have to worry about the neighbors-they wouldn't join us even if we invited them (LOL)!
rgds,
althea

and are so far past the line we can't even see it any more. Well thanks for the support. It's good to know I'm not the only nut out there.

Sounds like a nice setup you've got there. I could use a generator in both summer and winter (and not just for the snakes!). Power lines go down in ice storms and thunderstorms around here sometimes knock out elctrical substations.

Best regards
John

You've made a good point. Perhaps rather than being beyond it, we've simply decided to move it on a subconscious level?(LOL)

My herps are not only a source of sanity/therapy at the end of a crazy day at work, but represent an investment. With 30
reptiles in my collection, our wake up came when John Cherry lost so many animals when one of his thermostats malfunctioned.
It was like, "Yikes, what if. . .?".

Ours seems to be the most cost effective solution for the variety of carbon-based organisms living in our home. Even my husband's cacti collection lives in the herp room during the colder months.
Regards,
althea

John Cherry's incident was a wake up for me as well.

I try to incorporate redundant controls as much as reasonably possible.
One of my first moves was to puchase 2 Ronco temperature contollers and wire them in series so one controls the other. This adds another level of protection from runaway heater controls.

-----
Regards, Bill McGighan

I've also added a dehumidifier, fire extiguisher, and remote temp/humidity transmitter (so I can monitor both from the house) to all mentioned.
I don't think either of you have crossed the line.

You have crossed it, however, if you let the snakes have control of the TV remote!
-----
Regards, Bill McGighan

the line to see it. Well, as long as the local mental health officials aren't stepping in we must be alright.
Regards
John

That's good.
I don't want to go back to the nervous hospital.....
-----
Regards, Bill McGighan

When I'm there, I'm pretty much the bull goose looney.

Bill,
My herp room is attached to the house (converted garage space originally meant to be a family room). The temp and humidity readouts are visible through the french door that abuts the kitchen. We have fire extinguishers all over (my hubby's obsession since he doesn't trust the wiring done by the previous owner). As for the reptiles getting control of the TV remote? Not a chance. Our male siamese cat has dibbs on it.
Regards,
althea

I have ac for the family in all the rooms but not the snake room. You find you need AC for them?
I am thinking of it but not sure ofcourse I dont use heat of any kind in summer (Long Island NY ).

Luis:
The cold loving snakes seem to eat better in July-August if I keep the temps down below 80 F. Unfortunately even my basement reaches that temp at some point. Now my family and I have always just adjusted to the heat with fans and cold showers (we're stoical), but unfortunately the russian rats, fox snakes and especially the mandarins are very wimpy about the heat. So I've caved in. Maybe one day I'll get A/C for the rest of the house.
John

Luis,
We live in the South, and the herp room temp can zoom up to 100 degrees without the ac during the summer. My eurasian rat snakes don't like it above 82.
I'm also a transplanted northerner. "Heat" has taken on new meaning since moving from New England. Air conditioning is a necessity for humans and animals alike. There are, however, a couple of weeks in the spring and fall when the temps are such that the herps can survive without their climate controls.
Regards,
althea

Posted by: althea at Mon May 29 20:55:35 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Luis,
We live in the South, and the herp room temp can zoom up to 100 degrees without the ac during the summer. My eurasian rat snakes don't like it above 82.
I'm also a transplanted northerner. "Heat" has taken on new meaning since moving from New England. Air conditioning is a necessity for humans and animals alike. There are, however, a couple of weeks in the spring and fall when the temps are such that the herps can survive without their climate controls.
Regards,
althea

Yes thats dangerously hot .My grandparents live in Miami they love the heat my wife and I detest it . I am in Long Island NY so only subjected to heat 4 months out of the year the rest of the time I use UTH and keep room in mid 70s for them some I use overhead black light set at correct temp.
I am getting a leucistic ratsnake this summer and was thinking of keeping it upstairs in snake room (temps 78 to mid 80s average sometimes high 80s ) but might just opt to put everyone (6 snakes ) with UTH for the summer months.

Luis

Posted by: jfirneno at Mon May 29 19:27:05 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Luis:
The cold loving snakes seem to eat better in July-August if I keep the temps down below 80 F. Unfortunately even my basement reaches that temp at some point. Now my family and I have always just adjusted to the heat with fans and cold showers (we're stoical), but unfortunately the russian rats, fox snakes and especially the mandarins are very wimpy about the heat. So I've caved in. Maybe one day I'll get A/C for the rest of the house.
John

Oh okay you keep Mandarins ,etc no wonderas yes they arent heat lovers . I looked into Mandarins yrs ago great looking snakes but a bit to shy,delicate for me .
My basement doesnt go beyond 78 regardless of how hot the summer is and might just put my snakes Kings-Milks in basement this summer. The room I keep them in is around 78 now but mid summer it can climb to high 80s .
The other rooms have ac set at 65 so thats to cold .

only person whose snakes have air, while i use an oscilating fan for myself LOL...
-----
Frank Roberts
R&R Herpetological
Roberts'Realm of Reptile Research

could probably make a living off of the supposed and/or real neuroses exhibited on this website. At the very least a smart divorce lawyer could target this group using ophiomania as grounds for divorce. But every boy needs a hobby.

Regards
John