Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It's getting to be that time of year again as everyone knows. I am getting ready to cool my snakes and breed them for the first time. Well actually it will be my second attempt at this but last year my cooling period got messed up and not one of my corns bred. So this year I am looking to you all for advice. How can I cool my corns and keep them at a constant temperature for 2-3 months. I live in upstate NY so putting them outside is out of the question. I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance!!!

Let me start by saying I have little experience with this, but I use to use a corner of my basement, crack a window and use UTH set at 55. Simple and worked well. Extreme cold I'd check temps. Also a stat on lights will burn them out fast.

Some great advice I got was to make sure the snakes drink. Once a week or so, dip their heads in shallow water dishes. That was from Tim, when I had some issues with a hognose. Sure makes sense when you think about it. In nature it is not a constant temp. It may warm a bit, the snake gets a little active and will probably seek water. So check hydration periodically.

Other options:
A guy I bought collared lizards from in Tennessee used a fridge. Added vents and tweaked the stat. That's an idea if you can handle that.

One customer of mine has a shelf by a window, and lets the drape cover it. Again a stat with belly heat at what ever temp he wants. I'm not so sure that is a good idea? But he lives in an apartment, and you take what you can get.

I hope more people have more options.
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

I also live in an apartment. I have heard of using a fridge but I'm not quite sure how to set it up. Any ideas?

You have to get into the electronics, or into the themostat. Old fridges were bi metal jobs. You could stretch them to give a different temp range. Keep is you want it set at the proper temps. Then you can get into series and parellel back up curcuits. 1 to make sure it does not go to hot, 1 not to cold.

I just thought of 1 more idea. They make solid stat coolers. I will not go into the long process how that works, but it does. You might be able to rig one of them or a fridge type unit, or box for snake tubs. Also depends on how many you have.

Explaining all the mechanical tweaks and stuff is not good. Not something just to jump in on. I grew up ripping stuff apart to see how it worked.

If I had a lot of snakes, I'd prolly have an insulated room and an AC unit. Key is temps and air (if a fridge type setup. PLEASE be careful. With so many ppl with success with not brumating I'm not sure it is worth all that effect.

Good luck
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com

>>Let me start by saying I have little experience with this, but I use to use a corner of my basement, crack a window and use UTH set at 55. Simple and worked well. Extreme cold I'd check temps. Also a stat on lights will burn them out fast.
>>
>>Some great advice I got was to make sure the snakes drink. Once a week or so, dip their heads in shallow water dishes. That was from Tim, when I had some issues with a hognose. Sure makes sense when you think about it. In nature it is not a constant temp. It may warm a bit, the snake gets a little active and will probably seek water. So check hydration periodically.
>>
>>Other options:
>>A guy I bought collared lizards from in Tennessee used a fridge. Added vents and tweaked the stat. That's an idea if you can handle that.
>>
>>One customer of mine has a shelf by a window, and lets the drape cover it. Again a stat with belly heat at what ever temp he wants. I'm not so sure that is a good idea? But he lives in an apartment, and you take what you can get.
>>
>>I hope more people have more options.
>>-----

That's what I was going to recommend.
If you only have a few snakes get a small refrigerator (like a dorm room fridge)and just put them in it.
I used a small 'fridge a couple of seasons ago with good results.
I drilled a couple of holes in the lining around the door which allowed for enough air.
I just made sure to have it running long enough ahead of time to establish a good, consistant temperature.

I have too many now, unless I get a very large refrigerator or cooler.
-----
Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

>>>>Let me start by saying I have little experience with this, but I use to use a corner of my basement, crack a window and use UTH set at 55. Simple and worked well. Extreme cold I'd check temps. Also a stat on lights will burn them out fast.
>>>>
>>>>Some great advice I got was to make sure the snakes drink. Once a week or so, dip their heads in shallow water dishes. That was from Tim, when I had some issues with a hognose. Sure makes sense when you think about it. In nature it is not a constant temp. It may warm a bit, the snake gets a little active and will probably seek water. So check hydration periodically.
>>>>
>>>>Other options:
>>>>A guy I bought collared lizards from in Tennessee used a fridge. Added vents and tweaked the stat. That's an idea if you can handle that.
>>>>
>>>>One customer of mine has a shelf by a window, and lets the drape cover it. Again a stat with belly heat at what ever temp he wants. I'm not so sure that is a good idea? But he lives in an apartment, and you take what you can get.
>>>>
>>>>I hope more people have more options.
>>>>-----
>>
>>
>>
>>That's what I was going to recommend.
>>If you only have a few snakes get a small refrigerator (like a dorm room fridge)and just put them in it.
>>I used a small 'fridge a couple of seasons ago with good results.
>>I drilled a couple of holes in the lining around the door which allowed for enough air.
>>I just made sure to have it running long enough ahead of time to establish a good, consistant temperature.
>>
>>I have too many now, unless I get a very large refrigerator or cooler.
>>-----

I just set the fridge to the warmest setting, let it run for a few days and checked the temps. After a few tries, and a little over a week, I got it running at a pretty consistant 50 degrees F.
I just checked the temps and their water every few days and all went well.
I just wish I had one large enough for all the adults I have now.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

I know you know this, but a fridge is just an insulated box. Also now setup in the most inefficient manner with motor below, but that is also for defrost cycles and evaporating the water that drains.

So,, as I often ramble,, Cut a hole in it, make an addition. Extruded styro, A few small computer fans (12 VDC) for air movement and you have a bigger fridge.

Maybe add forward? Take the door off and add 24"s and mount the hinges and add a metal strip for the magnetic seal.

ORRRR,, ok you get my idea

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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.herpzilla.com