Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm moving to a new house about 2 miles down the road, LOL! Right now I have herps all throughout my house and garage. I'd like to consolidate them into one place, and I'm thinking of putting them on the screen porch. We're in the Orlando area, so the weather is pretty nice. The porch is shaded enough so the summer won't be too hot, and the winters are mild.

My concern is for January or February when we do have our cool nights. This is my first rack, and I'm not sure how to heat it. It will be like someone here (Steve's Kiki?)...basically a metal baker's rack with tubs/lids. I can roll it inside on the really cold nights, but what about the general 50 degree nights. Is that just too cold for corns to be kept outside?

My other options in this house for keeping herps are the very front room when you walk in the door, or the dining room that we're not using as a dining room. I'd rather it be a little more discreet.

That's not too cold for North American colubrids. My question would be what other herps do you have? There are a number of animals (Boas, Ball Pythons, etc.) that cannot be cooled down that low.

Tim

Third Eye

My tropical herps will be kept inside. It's just a corn rack.

OK, I'd simply brumate them in January and February, rather than try to heat a rack system in 50 degree weather.
I didn't know if that was your plan, but I think it would work out better than trying to keep the snakes feeding during the winter months.

Tim

i agree with Tim- i'd try to brumate the snakes when it got colder b/c alot of the snakes wouldnt want to eat and the ones who did may end up regurgitating. and what if there is a "surprise" weather spike one night. I know we get them ere in VA. And the only other thing is since they will be outside. just be careful... b/c you may get a surprise visiter. I had a neighbor get a deer inside their screened in porch once... it actually came through a hole that a raccoon earlier that night had made... and if the snakes get knocked over thats a big scary problem b/c the tubs and tanks wont ALL hold. I'm sure it was a once in a lifetime type deal that happened to my neighbor, but you still have to be careful. likely hood if one of your snakes got out of the cage you may never see them again.... BUT it sounds like a pretty cool idea.!!! post pictures when you decide what to do
~kin
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~Sober Serpents~
www.freewebs.com/soberserpents
Tons of Corns, A Trio of Creamsicles, A Black Rat, A pair of Leucistic Black Rat X Leucistic Texas Rat Intergrades, Thayeri, Cal Kings, A Jungle Corn, Ball Pythons, A Pair of Albino Nelsons Milksnakes, A Rescue RTB, Leopard Geckos, Green Anoles, 2 Snapping Turtles, an Eastern Box Turtle, a Bearded Dragon, an Adult Rescue Iguana

Ugh...you guys are making me feel like I'm in over my head!

Keeping snakes in tubs on a rack is supposed to be easier isn't it? How hard can it be to move and condense a dozen or so corn snakes? I'm so afraid that they'll get too cold and die. One of these is my daughter's pet that she's had for 8 years.

I agree with everything said. One thing you may have an issue with is the porch nearer the house will be warmer than away. It can be a lot at times. Just be aware of it. I use to keep my Jackson chameloens on my porch as quarantine. And in Sept, Oct and believe it or not Nov, I used my porch. Jax like it cool. but I could have a 15 degree difference from the house to the edge.

Just something to watch for. If heating a house , and if older in florida there may be no insulation. The wall against the house may not work for ya. But easy enuogh to make the racks on wheels so you can move them. If you get a rare 35 degree night, move them up to the. 50 degree move them away.

Just a thought from a want abe home builder lol
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

np

I'm guessing most do. A few may have reptile rooms, but with a room all one temperature you don't get a gradient heat pattern.
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com