Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi Guys,
I have been trying not to post here lately. Atleast till all the flaming stopped. My question is though I dont like to keep my rodents in the house, I have them setup in my rack in the shed outside my house. I am in North Carolina, and although we havnt recieved a major frost yet, how low of a temp will these cold little guys be able to handle? They are breeding regularly as a matter of fact production is booming (I realize they like the cool weather better then the warm), but how long will this keep up till I have mousecicles? Anyone have any experience?
thanks
Will Wohlers

Actually rats can do ok in the cold. If the shed is wind proof, no cracks in the walls etc., then all you really need is food, water and extra bedding so they can burrow into it and they will stay warm. If they're kept healthy they can resist the cold fairly well. If you have electricity in the shed it wouldn't hurt to hook up a small heater of some sort just to be safe.

Quig

Is it one of those little metal sheds you get from Lowes? Sounds just like my set up.lol As long as your water dosen't freeze up, you should be fine. We got down to 18 deg. last night here in the Texas panhandle, and a little utility heater worked just fine.

Best-o-luck, Quinton

Where in NC are you? Im in NC too and I know that the winter temps are waaaay different around the state. Im in Boone, and it is like 19 out right now. Just saying because you may need to have a differnent set up if you are in the mountains rather that being in say the triangle.

I am in Asheville, NC. So yea, right smack in the mountains. It isnt a metal shed, it is a large stone shed, that use to be used for blacksmith work (around the late 1800's), so it should insulate well. Let me know guys
thanks
Will Wohlers

If you wouldn't be comfortable working in the shed with a coat and gloves, then you need a heater. Otherwise, just keep the bedding deep and they'll cuddle for warmth. They have fur, but they can't tolerate below zero temps AND still take time to eat and make babies.

I used to spend weekends in Blowing Rock... I love the area up there! Ashville is not bad too! Great areas if you like cold, snow, and with Boone... hot looking coeds!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

i think iam going to miss all the snow that i used to get up in PA... i just moved down to N.C about 8 and half months ago... first week i moved down here i got sun posioning because the suns so much stronger down here! lol...
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Under a dead ohio sky,
Eleven has been and will be waiting,
Defending his light,
And wondering...
Where the hell have I been?
Sleeping, lost, and numb.
So glad that I have found you.
I am wide awake and heading home.
TOOL

They would call you a night walker....

Those electric oil filled heaters are fairly efficient...I ran one last year for mine...(I'm near Greensboro).
The built in t-stat really helped(they have an anti-freeze setting to keep it above 44F).

I would leave you a link to one...but i suspect that's the reason i had to type this all out again....(Apparently it was a tos violation.)
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Charles Glaspie

Tanstaafl:
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".
An acronym created by my favorite author Robert A. Heinlein.

"I would leave you a link to one...but i suspect that's the reason i had to type this all out again....(Apparently it was a tos violation.)"

Blah...you double posted and i got lost...
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Charles Glaspie

Tanstaafl:
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch".
An acronym created by my favorite author Robert A. Heinlein.