Help all my reptiles are dying

My furnace blew last month and then I got laid off from my job so I have not been able to replace it and the house is very very cold. My reptiles are starting to die from the cold, I've lost lizards, tree frogs, fire bellied toads, and others. The snakes all went into brumation and the american toad went into hibernation. I dont know what to do with the remaineing reptiles till I get a job or get the furnace fixed.

thanks
Chris

Just get a small oil heater and sleep with your reptiles in the same room. They run about $60-100 and that would help keep you at least a little bit more warm.

have a trustworthy friend house sit them for a while - pay them when you can?

You can get small, decent space heaters at Walmart for as low as $25 and up from there. I've got a couple of the small, inexpensive ones...and while they may not be fancy, they do heat up a room.

VERY sorry to hear about all your hardships. I hope you get them sorted out soon!

Walmart is your best bet cheap and effective heaters im about to buy one myself my room gets a tad bit cold at night with these cold fronts down here in Florida, probably nothing compared to up north. I am very sorry for your losses and hope the rest make it through.

Chris,

A tough situation. Very sorry to hear. I also know that sometimes even 25$ can be tough when your laid off. Reaching out to other herp people for advice is perfect in this situation. If you are unable to get a heater at this time, or have found that none of your friends can baby sit while you get things running again. Another option is to continue to reach out to fellow herp lovers.

http://www.maineherp.org/index.php?display=contact

I saw this Herp society has events in Portland and also jumps the state line in NH.

I noticed the Maine Herpetological Society has a contact person for adoptions. (Mike Myers (207) 512-8109) Many times the people in charge of this portion of the society are xtra passionate about herps. You could try giving him a call and see if he would be willing to find a sitter for you until your ready. Tell them your situation. Just another option. Good luck to you!

Mark

im sorry to hear about your layoff. its tough now for a lot of people. with winter coming this is not the ime for a furnace to go out. but as others said a lot of small heaters can heat up an entire room well.

http://www.laskoproducts.com/heaters/model_755320.html
i have read a lot of reviews on this one and not one bad reveiw but i know a lot of people on here have success using other ones

my new rack will be here soon so ill have some extra room soon. if you want me to babysit some snakes for a lil while maybe we can work something out if u cant find something

Get a small heater and put them in a small room if possible I got a 20 dollar heater from walmart and in the room i have my reticulated python it stays around mid 70's at night, it does real well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mpkeelee

http://www.laskoproducts.com/heaters/model_755320.html
i have read a lot of reviews on this one and not one bad reveiw but i know a lot of people on here have success using other one

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This works wonders for me. If windows let in to much of a breeze u can buy the plastic to cover ur windows for like $6.

Until you can afford to replace the furnace you really only have three options:

- Purchase a small space heater and heat one room with your reptiles in it, preferably the room you spend the most time in yourself. Cover any windows with pillows to block the cold. You will be unable to maintain ideal temps but they will survive for some time. This, however, is assuming that you can afford the heater and the electricity as they are not cheap to run. There is also a small fire risk.
- Get rid of your animals, either by giving them away (or selling them at low cost) or finding locals to take them on until you get a job and replace your furnace, paying them when you can.
- Let you animals live in the cold until they all die or you replace the furnace, whichever comes first.

IMO #2 is your best bet. You are responsible for your pets and if you can't provide them with proper care you should find someone who does, asap.

I hope you get the furnace sorted out asap... Good luck!

Zoe

Just go out and buy a small room heater as soon as you possibly can. I did, and it works fantastic.

Oh man what a disaster! I lost my Chinese Water Dragon several years ago when our furnace when out. At that time I was working 14 hour shifts and it went out while I was at work. When I got back he was just about gone and the dang maintenance guy didn't get there for 2 days when we were in below 0 weather. I tried to keep him alive with hot water bottles, heat packs, and a space heater, but it was too late for him by the time I got back :( The best part was when the maintenance guy got there and said, oh did he did because it was so cold in here, shoot I could have got here sooner but it was the weekend and I don't like to work weekends...... rrrr

What I do now when the power goes out in our house from the lovely ice and snow is put them in bags and put them in my incubator-which is an old refrigerator. Then I fill the fridge door with heat packs, gallon jugs of the hottest tap water and shut them in. I of course check on them so there is air exchange, but I try not to do it more than 2 or three times a day. With just the gallon jugs of hot water I can keep it ~90 in there for 8-9 hours. If you have a cooler you can do the same thing. If not you can put them in a cardboard box like you would for shipping. Fill it with newspaper and tape a heat pack or two to the lid or fill it with hot water bottles. Your water heater should still be working as long as it's gas.

This is free if you are short on money!

You can also pick up hand warmers fairly cheaply that will help in a pinch. Activate them then wrap them in a washcloth or thin towel and place in a small box with your pet. They last up to 10 hrs, and while far from ideal, they can save a life.

I have a dozen 18 hr ones myself, the largest I can find locally. I am set to order some 60 hr ones online when my hubby get's his next check. I'd rather have them and not need them, than watch my babies die if the power goes out for a week like it did a couple years ago before I got snakes.

Gale

I hate to be critical, but honestly, I cannot imagine sitting there and watching animals die because my furnace doesn't work.

I would put them ANYWHERE--at a sympathetic pet store, animal shelter, rescue, other breeder, friend's house, car with the engine running--absolutely anywhere, other than allow them to sit in a house without proper heat, and die.

That's simply wrong.