Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Folks,

I am still relatively new with my rat breeding, and have a question about temperature and feed.

I am considering moving the rats into my basement, the only problem is that the temperature at night can range from 45-54 degrees so I was considering giving them some additional warmth using heat tape underneath their enclosures. Was wondering if this will work or will I end up just freezing the poor buggers?

Second, I am currently feeding them Mazuri brand rodent lab block only that is 24% protein, 6.5% fat, and 3.8% fiber. Is it necessary to mix in other types of seed, corn, etc. If so, what would be recommended?

thanks!
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0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons (on breeding loan)
0.1 Sub-adult
1.0 Normal ball python
1.1 Bell Line Pastel Ball pythons
1.0 Adult Het Albino Ball Python
1.0 Het Pied Ball Python
1.0 Het Carmel Ball Python
1.0 66% Het pied Ball python
0.2 50% Het albino Ball Pythons

Interested in a breeding loan? Email me....

Heat tape should work fine. If you can put them in a small room or other enclosure, a light bulb will even work in a pinch. Silly as it may seem, make sure they don't get too hot.

I fed a rodent chow made locally with a little cabbage for fun. I believe a great deal of research has been done on rodent nutrition. If you give too many goodies or supplements, you could be doing more harm than good by upsetting their nutritional balance. While this is not the majority opinion here, I had so much success with this approach, my freezer was filled, I gave away rats to a rescue group and finally gave away my breeding stock. When my freezer gets low, I will start up again. Thus relieving me of the need to clean cages in the winter (and maybe part of the spring, too.)

DeMak

Thanks for the message. I would consider a light bulb over the heat tape first if you think it is a viable option. I don't want to stress the rats out by being light 24/7.

They are not in a tank type enclosure, I am using Sartori's rack design with the cement mixing tubs, and the basement is open with no rooms to enclose. I am sure I could make something out of plywood to enclose them a bit, but I don't want to waste time or money if there is another option. I don't know how safe a space heater is in the basement running 24/7 would be either. Anyone have any suggestions?
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0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons
0.2 Normal Adult ball pythons (on breeding loan)
0.1 Sub-adult
1.0 Normal ball python
1.1 Bell Line Pastel Ball pythons
1.0 Adult Het Albino Ball Python
1.0 Het Pied Ball Python
1.0 Het Carmel Ball Python
1.0 66% Het pied Ball python
0.2 50% Het albino Ball Pythons

Interested in a breeding loan? Email me....

I think that a low of 45 is nothing to worry about.

You will see breeding drop off when it goes under 45 in my experiences, and over 80*F as well, but 45 isn't very bad at all. I just had a litter on Sunday night when the low outside was 8*F and the garage wasn't much more than 30*F that night. They all group up together and make it through, I give them shredded cardboard to help them out a bit as well.

I feed 40lbs of dog food, 10lbs of kernal corn, 5lbs of sunflour with good success. I give them scraps of whatever human food doesn't get eaten whenever I feel like it too, especially stuff that has passed expiration in our chest freezer that still "looks" good.

Jon

I don't know how much room you have between the lowest tub and the floor, but even a 25 watt bulb would produce a lot of warmth if you put something around the sides of the rack (like cardboard?). I would be careful not to cover the top, so it doesn't get too warm and so you don't cut off all circulation. It doesn't have to be fancy or expensive.

DeMak