Emergency Hand Warmer?

There is a good chance that I may lose power tonight because of icing. I'm about to head out and see if I can get some of those hand warmer packs in case this happens. If I do end up having to use them for emergency heat, where would I place them? Under the tubs or in the tubs around the hides?

I am not familiar with them for reptile use BUT I did deal with them a lot while working at Academy and when guiding during hunting season.

I think to answer your question, it will depend on what size you get. Some of the larger ones will hold the temp longer but dont get as hot. I have been burned by the smaller ones because they heat up so quickly and burn out fast.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I am not familiar with them for reptile use BUT I did deal with them a lot while working at Academy and when guiding during hunting season.

I think to answer your question, it will depend on what size you get. Some of the larger ones will hold the temp longer but dont get as hot. I have been burned by the smaller ones because they heat up so quickly and burn out fast.

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Thanks for the heads up. :gj:

I agree with pit, the small ones can give you a nasty burn even through one layer of cloth. I have had great success with the larger ones and even the medical grade ones. With those, I have had them on my skin and not burned, but I would let them heat up for a few minutes before trying that :)

If you have the larger ones, break them and let it heat up, hold it in your hand and see how hot it is, I then used the forearm test when I am checking temps as my hands are calloused. I would still put them in a towel or sock or something before putting them in the tub.

Never had to try any of this for BPs just my ideas based on using them for emergency heat on people :)

Don't put them anywhere your bps could touch them. My large ones get up to 165 degrees, and most of my others have a high of at least 130. Before I had my bater I would stuff the hand warmers between the tubs, that way the snakes couldn't lay on top of them. If you have a cooler or an old fridge it's much easier to keep them warm. I can keep my bater-a fridge at ~90 degrees for 8-9 hours just using gallon jugs filled with the hottest water I can get out of my tap. One thing you could also do if you don't have a cooler or fridge is use the hand warmers and fill water bottle with hot water and put them in the tubs. You need to make sure those bottles aren't any hotter than 95 before you put them in though.

For temp heat in a pinch, I've used the ThermaCare Heatwraps for neck/knee and back... Heatwrap pads are larger than most hand warmers, last about 8 hours. Back size will heat wide strip along back of tub. I've used them with plastic tubs and a file carrier that I use to take my snake to the vet.

I usually set a plastic tub on a ThermaCare pad, with the pad wrapped in a pillowcase, towel, small sheet, etc. to avoid overheating. Heatwrap pads can get HOT, so no direct contact with snake and check temps frequently. Temp guns rule. Also snakes in pillowcases inside small styrofoam coolers with small heatwraps in bottom---plus separating towels, sheets, newspaper, etc.---will keep warm. But again, check temps frequently.

Snow here in Atlanta and a cold week ahead, so I feel your pain. Got my ThermaCares and other emergency supplies in the snake room.

Good luck! :)

I was thinking the same rule as in shipping might apply here.. heat or cold packs on top of the tank/tub etc since if it is on the bottom they cant get away from it.. I really like the thermacare idea though!

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Originally Posted by MommaK

I was thinking the same rule as in shipping might apply here.. heat or cold packs on top of the tank/tub etc since if it is on the bottom they cant get away from it.. I really like the thermacare idea though!

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Yep, good point... I always use a CB70 or same-size Sterlite plastic tub for adults, and it's similar to having a UTH on one end. I use CB70s in my rack, pull them out, and snap the lid on, and place them with one end on the ThermaCare back-size heatwrap. I use smaller ThermaCares in my file carrier or styrofoam coolers; the containers are still big enough to allow the snake to move away from heat.

I have a indoor propane heater while on Low will maintain 84F room temp. On high it will get 92 in the room.

The heater runs about 80$ new and uses one 16oz propane tank. Each tank on low lasts about 9-12 hours.

Seems like a lot but makes power outtages seem like nothing but another day.

Hand warmers work AWESOME. I used about 4 of them when I took my Cal King out in the cold somewhere so a guy could sex him for me. I put him in a bag (pillow case) along with the hand warmers and some newspaper. It worked great.