Winter temps

[Dekker]

So I live in a part of Alberta where it can, has and most likely will go down to -40c at points. I was wondering what would be one of the better ways to go about keeping the heat in the tank? I plan on covering the top but what else should I do for it?

[mainbutter]

If you're talking about a glass tank with a top screen, your options are:

-turning the indoor thermostat up and heating the room you keep your reptiles in
-multiple UTHs on seperate thermostats/rheostats
-having a ceramic heat emitter(CHE) or heat lamp(s)
-insulating part of screen on top
-insulating the glass sides

[zackw419]

If you're talking about a glass tank with a top screen, your options are:

-turning the indoor thermostat up and heating the room you keep your reptiles in
-multiple UTHs on seperate thermostats/rheostats
-having a ceramic heat emitter(CHE) or heat lamp(s)
-insulating part of screen on top
-insulating the glass sides

Insulation alone won't help. I would get a separate heater for the room and insulate.

[mainbutter]

A note: Winter heating is generally a humidity killer, just something to watch out for in case you need to add sphagnum moss or make a humid hide to make sure your snake gets good sheds during the colder months.

[hermeticcharm]

Just wanted to point out that some one on another winter temp thread recently suggested this for regulating the ambient temperature in a smaller room to help with keeping your snake comfy:

http://www.target.com/Aloha-4051-0-1...0heater&page=1

This is most likely what I'm gonna pick up for the winter here in VT where it drops to -20F

[mfkelly]

You could also try hibernating him for the winter. I am doing that with my snakes this year, for the first time. Traditionally North American keepers start the cycle on Thanksgiving and take them out around Valentines Day. This of course sets them up for breeding but some feel that it is beneficial to your guys health. I have found that my males in particular stop eating in the winter anyway, so i am giving it a try this year. Also I am feeding a collection of 15 snakes BP's, corns and hogs, so hibernating saves about 3 months of food cost. Only 2 of my young corns are staying out for the winter.

[seeya205]

A heat lamp in addition to your UTh should be enough. I am in Ontario and thats all I use. You may want to use a portable heater in the room if its cool in your house. Use a humid box because the added heat will suck up your humidity!

[Dekker]

Thank you all for the suggestions, ill try the multiple heating sources and I already have a humid hide seeing as Alberta is so dry.