Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I did'nt get a reply from below so I thought i would post again.

I live in FLorida. Is it possible to keep snakes outside year around? Ny hubby brought up the subject of keeping them in the garage with the door slightly open and locks on the enclosures, and a high power fan when its way hot in the summer. Our garage isnt insulated well, so its not usually hot even with the door closed all day. Any ideas for making this work?

I wouldn't. Unless you are regulating the temperature somehow, it doesn't seem like a good idea. Plus, leaving the garage door open is asking for trouble (even just "cracked open".

Cutting a pad lock isn't difficult... getting in the garage is. If the door is already open... well, that makes the job that much easier.

You could do it ,is the Garage finished with drywall and everything. If Not insulate the ceiling and the walls. This will keep it from getting to hot and to cold. It wouldn't cost much to fix it up. If I lived In Fla. thats what I would do, then for cold nights have a oil filled heater set on a Ranco or Johnson control......... Good luck getting it done

Van
http://www.myspace.com/gregvanzweden

-----
Forever Trust in what we are,and nothing else Matters

I too lived in FL for about 12 years. From Miami up to Ft. Pierce.

Every garage that i've been into was as hot if not hotter than an oven.

My uncles garage even had a/c in it. Everyone got so tired of getting their eyes burned when they entered it.

I'm talking over 100 degrees here!!!

Don't do it, think hard about what the consequences could be.

Pitoon

lots of them
-----
......

This will be more of a hassle than it's worth. You'd have to completely enclose your garage and insulate it well. Then put in heat and A/C and you're all set. Not that it will be any savings on your electric bill because now you're controlling the climate just like you would in the rest of your house.

Many people do it without a hitch. What you have to do is "cycle" the animals. They'd have to go out thier early spring, and adjust to the rising temperature into the summer. My garage has never gone past 92 degrees, with the garage door closed and no attic insulation. I keep/kept Turtles, Torts, and all kinds of Lizards without any problems. I've never had to keep snakes out their, but I know of 4 people local, who keep some fairly high-end snakes in thier garages without doing anything fancy. A high velocity fan won't help cool anything, but will circulate stagnant air. The best thing you could do is find a decent swamp cooler, and buy an insulated garage door.
-----
South Central Herpetological

I'm in oklahoma (obviously)... we have HOT summers and COLD winters-- over 110 summer--- single digit winters....

We have insulated doors and GOOD seals all the way around, we have an insulated celing and walls-- energy star windows (the only new windows in the house), we routed the central heat and air out there too... its like another room of the house... just more reptile friendly...

I spend as much time out there as i do on the couch...

It is very do-able... we spend about 8K getting ours "herp-ready" ...

~Beth
-----
Until there are none, Rescue One! Get ready to welcome the new and improved Oklahoma Animal Rescue Group -- Just a few weeks away from getting our 501c3 status!!!!!

Reposted from below......

Listen, I'm sure you are a very capable person, but leaving the garage door cracked is just asking for trouble. FLORIDA HAS ENOUGH PROBLEMS AT THE MOMENT.......if any of your snakes were to escape, this is just one more case to tie us into the burmese python problem. This would be bad for everybody! And yes, I understand you would put locks on the cages, but we're human......we all make mistakes. But there is one difference......if one of your little escape artists (because we all know they try!) get out, it's gone.......guaranteed!

Brandon

Don't worry, I had pretty much decided against that when I posted, I just wanted some opinions. I wouldnt risk it. We are going to convert a spare bedroom instead.

NO WORRIES EVERYONE!