Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
I've been collecting snakes for a while now, and have decided that I'd like to start breeding them, not to turn a profit, just as a hobby. I've got a spare room in my house that was used for storage, but I'm clearing it out and would like to utilize this space as my breeding room. Problem is, there are no windows or air vents in the room. I live in Miami, FL, and my question to who ever will help is this: will I need to install a small a/c unit in the room to keeps temps under control, or can I just run a fan 24/7 to keep the air circulating? The only time I could see it getting too hot would be for 3 months in the summer, but during these really hot months I'd just keep the heat tape unplugged and fans turned on. I will also be keeping lights on a timer to mimick day/night. Would this be suitable? Like I said I've been collecting snakes for a long time now, but have never attempted breeding them. Any replies or helpful tips will be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi welcome to the family!!!! You're going to have to install an ac unit. Using a fan will not cool the room it will just circulate the hot air. As for using a light timer you'll get conflicting replies. Many people swear they benifit from having a day/night cycle. Nothing has been proven to support that claim for the majority of snakes. Good luck with your endevor breeding snakes.

Thanks for the help celtic!

No problem at all. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask, thats what we're all in here for. One day you'll see someone asking questions you're able to answer. Try posting the question in the (Snakes, General) forums you'll probably get more replies there since this wasn't so much a health & breeding question so much as general care and husbandry.

I don't know what kind of snakes you have but most snakes need some kind of cooling for breeding so it all depends on the temps of the room. as far as a window that could be bad as before I start to breed I feed the crap out of the snakes and thats what comes out and a lot of it, some times it smells bad and the window is a good thing for that. I don't know your room but if it gets over 90 thats no good. my room temp range is 65 to 85 depending on the time of year so I use a heater for winter, i try to maintane 78 and use heat on cages for the rest of the needs. snakes will adjust to some level like my snakes at the bottom of the rack are a few degrees cooler then the ones at the top so I think the temp range is wider then one would think. as far as lighting I don't think you need to light the cages but I would light the room for 8 to 10 hours a day. I have beardies in my room so lighting is a must. hope this helps and best of luck

Good replies so far. I can't imagine how hot FLA gets in the summer. I've never experienced anything more than about 90-95 here. I do agree though that an AC is probably a necessity but also wanted to point out that the species you are keeping will definately determine how much success you have in a warmer environment. Many of the asian rats or other highland species will deteriorate over 80F or so.

Ian