Mice and Racks

In the next few years I would like to begin breeding Ball Pythons but I seem to have hit two roadblocks in my planning (I want to make sure I have everything figured out before buying snakes with the intention to breed). The first is that my house is typically 75 ish-69 degrees. I know that the minimum it should be is 75. I was wondering if I can combat this by having a smaller (3-4 in) strip of heat tape as the hot spot and a larger strip (11 in?) in the front to maintain the "cold" spot at the correct tempature? The next problem is that hatchling Ball Pythons typically eat live prey for their first few meals but its next to impossible to get live hoppers near me. Which means I would have to either breed mice, or give up on breeding Ball Pythons. I'd love to hear peoples thoughts on this and if anyone can give me some information regarding the breeding of mice I would be very grateful.
Thanks a bunch,
Max

Just as a heads up I use a rack. A VE-6 to be exact. I found that the cold side temp is regulated quite well by the heat tape on the hot side. My house is at 74, and the cold side is about 78-79. Hot side is set at 94, but that makes 89 in the tub. I measure the temp 1 time a day at least. usually 2 - 3 times a day.

It's not about the hot spot it's about the ambient temps, you can use a regular 3 to 4 inches strip of heat tape but you will require a room heated with a oil filled heater and a reliable external thermostat set to at least 75

As for mice you build a rack with plumbing system and you set up several harems and have several tubs for weans and grow out.

You need to start with small weaned mice not adult raise them up to optimal size and start pairing them when ready.

Number of mice you will produce will depend on how many animals you will produce.

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Originally Posted by sur3fir3

Just as a heads up I use a rack. A VE-6 to be exact. I found that the cold side temp is regulated quite well by the heat tape on the hot side. My house is at 74, and the cold side is about 78-79. Hot side is set at 94, but that makes 89 in the tub. I measure the temp 1 time a day at least. usually 2 - 3 times a day.

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Agreed. The tubs dont lose the heat like a glass enclosure does. My two glass enclorsures require ambient heating. But my racks cool side sits 6-7 degrees higher than the room temperature. It would definitely work with the dual heat tape though.

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Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles

It's not about the hot spot it's about the ambient temps, you can use a regular 3 to 4 inches strip of heat tape but you will require a room heated with a oil filled heater and a reliable external thermostat set to at least 75

As for mice you build a rack with plumbing system and you set up several harems and have several tubs for weans and grow out.

You need to start with small weaned mice not adult raise them up to optimal size and start pairing them when ready.

Number of mice you will produce will depend on how many animals you will produce.

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I'm looking at getting one breeding pair (To make Banana Clowns/Banana Pieds) so I wouldnt have very many offspring, 8-9 hatchlings probably. I actually didnt think about an oil filled heater, it would probably be my best bet.

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Originally Posted by MattEvans

Agreed. The tubs dont lose the heat like a glass enclosure does. My two glass enclorsures require ambient heating. But my racks cool side sits 6-7 degrees higher than the room temperature. It would definitely work with the dual heat tape though.

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I guess I didnt realize that tubs held heat better, are your racks closed or open sided?

I'm thinking that breeding mice would probably be my only option. Would a 1:3 ratio be good to start with? And what is the best housing? Mouse racks/stand alone tubs, lab cages or tanks?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stewart_Reptiles

It's not about the hot spot it's about the ambient temps, you can use a regular 3 to 4 inches strip of heat tape but you will require a room heated with a oil filled heater and a reliable external thermostat set to at least 75

As for mice you build a rack with plumbing system and you set up several harems and have several tubs for weans and grow out.

You need to start with small weaned mice not adult raise them up to optimal size and start pairing them when ready.

Number of mice you will produce will depend on how many animals you will produce.

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I should have specified, on the cold side I measure Ambient. on the hot side I measure the hot spot.

Closed sides and open back.

I think bin/tub cages would be best ( I dont want to use a rack) and probably the cheapest option. Would mesh on the top be okay as long as I over compensate for chewing and put the mesh on the inside?