Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I remember some posts from last year about people using wine coolers to brumate their snakes. I need to do something like that this year as well as the spare bedroom I used to use with a craked window is now in use (kids have a way of taking over good snake rooms, don't they).

If you use wine coolers or use a fridge, please let me know, I have some questions. I'm concerned about controling the temps and airflow.

thanks,

Dave

Hey Dave,
I have been using a refrigerator for over 5 years now. It works great, but I did do some mods to it. First, the temp was to low on the warmest setting, about 49 F. So I took out the thermostat, and put in a custom made electronic thermostat with an ntc thermocouple as the sensor. It keeps it at constant 58 F. now. I also have a small fish tank air pump pushing air into it through some tubing piped through the wall of the fridge. I have never had a problem, and my snakes always breed.

Damn, that's a good idea!

I have to ask how you pack up your snakes? I have alot of pits to cool and I usually use my basement or garage to cool them. Not the most reliable, but it get's the job done. However if I could pack them in a fridge that would be pretty awesome.

Thanks for the info. That does sound like a great set up. So you built the thermostat yourself? Doubt I could do that.

I saw some wine coolers at HH Greg today and they have temp controls and the highest temp setting was 58 degrees on one model and 64 degrees on another model. That may be the way to go for me.

Great idea on the fish pump to keep air flowing. Thanks for your help.

Dave

I also put a bowl of water in the fridge, and it holds 80 percent humidity. I dont know if it is neccessary, but I do it any way. I have opened the fridge, mid winter, to find my milks drinking water. I also weigh them before and after the brumation period, and they never lose weight.

If you buy a fridge, set it up and observe the temp for month before you put snakes in it. That way you will know if it is maintaining the proper temp.

Great information, thanks for your detailed posts. I have had a few people ask about hibernating in warmer areas and mentioned the possibilty of a fridge type device, but never had any details I could pass on to them. I will pass on your ideas to anyone else that asks me about this problem if you don't mind. Being in PA I don't have to worry about cold temps, now if it would just snow a little this season for some skiing and snowboarding I would not mind the chilly temps as much.

Thanks again, and have a good day.

Gregg F.

>>I also put a bowl of water in the fridge, and it holds 80 percent humidity. I dont know if it is neccessary, but I do it any way. I have opened the fridge, mid winter, to find my milks drinking water. I also weigh them before and after the brumation period, and they never lose weight.
>>
>>If you buy a fridge, set it up and observe the temp for month before you put snakes in it. That way you will know if it is maintaining the proper temp.
-----
Gregg F.

www.greggsrb.com