Potential heat source?

[Sirensong26]

Hey!

I had a question about having using those hand warmers (the kind that you shake to activate and then slip into the toe of a boot or into a mitten). If something happened (ie a heat lamp burned out or a power failure) as long as something was insulating the direct heat, could that work as a temporary solution?

Any answers would be appreciated!!

[KMG]

They can work just as warmed water bottles could. Just make sure they are wrapped in something like a tube sock so they are not to hot for the snake. Those hand/foot warmers really cook.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

If you want to use warmers use the one for shipping they last longer and do not get as hot.

Otherwise for one animal is you have an issue a good old hot water bottle will do as well, keeps the heat well, just make sure to wrap it up. http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Cross-...Y1KTPGWMWZFB4S

[DVirginiana]

I keep a small supply of those for power outages. They come in handy, but like everyone else said just make sure they're insulated; they can get super hot.

[Sirensong26]

Alright, thanks a bunch guys (and girls!!)!!! Backups like this are good to know, Canadian winters are moronically unpredictable.

[bcr229]

Depending on how long you can expect an outage to last - we've been without power for up to four days after an ice storm - you'll either blow through a ton of hand warmers, or you'll need a better way to generate emergency heat. A small propane stove, used outside, may prove better for warming water for heated bottles, light cooking, making coffee, etc.

Or you can just get a generator. It's a PITA storing the thing but it's more than paid for itself in the last few years when I think of what could have been lost.

[Sauzo]

I had a power outage back around thanksgiving for about 6 hours. I ended up loading everyone up into tubs and packing them into my car for 4 hours while cycling the heat on and off at 3am to 7am. Let me tell you, that really sucked. My red tail actually seemed to enjoy it as she was wandering around and my beardie didn't wake up the whole time lol. And as others have said, watch out for those hand and foot warmers. They get hot as hell. I had 1 on the bottom of a tub covered by 2 blankets when I took my beardie to the vet and the bottom of the tub got really warm. Good thing my beardie was on top of 2 blankets.

Someone mentioned using a Mr Heater which attaches to a propane tank. Its made for indoor use and looked great to just heat a reptile room in case of a power outage.

[JMBall's]

I just lost power for about 18 hrs. Good thing I picked up a 5kw honda generator. Worth every cent of the 650$ I paid as my collection would have been ice cubes.

[norwegn113]

I would like to add a special caution when using hand warmers or the heat packs that have the metal snaps in them. A good friend of mine had his 10 year old Albino Burmese Python die after it mistook one of the heat packs as food and ate it. These devices are toxic if swallowed. Pythons as you all know have heat pits that they use to help find their prey. It is very easy for them to assume that warm little pack is indeed a nice little snack. Please take precautions to make sure your animal can not eat these items.

[Robyn@SYR]

There is no appropriate place for hand warmers in any aspect of reptile keeping, emergency or otherwise. They get exceptionally hot and have a short duration. They are simply dangerous to the health and well being of your animals.

If you want an emergency pack, use a 72 hour shipping heat pack. The heat packs of 40+ hours have a better temperature profile, and are going to give you a usable duration. You can keep one or two ten packs on hand at a pretty economical price.