Reptile & Amphibian Forums

need help with heat/cold extemes for good rat breeding . started losing rat breedeers when temps dropped into the mid 50's to low 60's. they are in FB racks in garage in so calif. in an inland valley and expect to get colder as winter draws closer. my mice are still producing like always.

Hello from Ontario 91762...where are you?

zip 92057 southern california appox. 4 miles from coast line and 30 miles north of San Diego, but am in a valley where temps can drop to 30's - 40's in the near furture!

I beleive temps between 65-75F are good for rats. They don't seem able to deal with cold as well as mice. Add a heater in the garage to keep the rats and mice warmer so they continue breeding. Or bring them into the house for the winter.

You might try covering the cages with a tarp or blanket. Rats generate a fair amount of heat. If that isn't enough, try a low wattage bulb in an droplamp also.
91604
DeMak

P.S. be careful not to catch the garage on fire!