BPs Semi-outdoors in a Hot, humid climate?

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

I have a bit of a different situation in that I live in a hot, sub-tropical climate, and nine of my snakes are currently residing on our back deck/porch. (the others are through-out the house in various rooms). It's in the 80s and 90s every day here. We put them out there temporarily a couple of weeks ago so we could bug bomb the snake room (we had a mite issue) and clean it and paint the walls. They like it so much we are contemplating enclosing it and making it the snake room, and heating it in winter. They seem happy as clams, and a couple of my fussy eaters have been pounding their dinners since we put them out there.

Has anyone had any experience keeping snakes in a screened in Florida room during the warm months (which is most of the year, here). What, if any, heat would you provide to snakes living in 80-90 degree temps with humidity in the upper ranges most days? Of course they are covered (it's a deck/porch with a roof, and soon to be screened in). We could also provide zip up tent walls (I don't know what you really call those!) and heat the room in the cooler months. It never gets below the 40s anyway, and even that is rare.

I feel like I am lucky enough to live in this climate- and I can't possibly recreate it to quite that degree of perfection inside my air conditioned house.

And yes, they are in very secure, escape proof enclosures

[MasonC2K]

My experience is this is with lizards but I think the same would apply. It's really nice to do if you can. However, there are two major problems I ran into.

1) It's easier for insects and other critters to get to your animals. They'll find a way.

2) More serious is the problem of a power outtage in winter. This happened to me. 40 degrees is enough to put an iguana into a coma. It's especially bad if it happens over night. So you have to have a plan on what to do to prevent and deal with such happenings.

If you do a good job of dealing with 1 and 2, especailly 2, you'll be fine.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

In the city here critters aren't a huge issue, but we will definitely be screening it in! I know it sounds goofy but I swear they LIKE it out there.

Yeah, winter is not much of a problem in Florida, but in the unusual event of a power outtage, we could bring them all inside easily. And then we'd be no worse off than anyone else with indoor animals in a power loss.

That's awesome that you've had a positive experience! Thanks for the good tips and precautions.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

We have them up on raised tables, under the roof, on the deck. We do have pest control monthly, too, so ants and so forth aren't a big issue. God that would be a nightmare!

[MasonC2K]

Just be careful of the cold. Even in FL, you can get a 30 degree night. I have one and the power went out over night and I thought my igauna was dead. He was breating though. Several hours on a heating pad brought him back. My problem was the heater didn't come back on after the power came back. So I changed the heater and started using two.

My iguana lived 9 years out side in GA. He was close to 6 foot when he died. So it can be done, it just has it's problems and risks.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

We will definitely be careful. We may even just bring them all back in. Definitely they seem to be enjoying their temporary home, though!

[blackcrystal22]

I would make sure it doesn't get too cold at night. I would consider low 70's too cold if you don't have any other heating source for them hooked up.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

It stays high 70s... definitely it's a lot warmer out there at night than it is in our house. I keep my central air on 73 or so. But, they have under the tank heat pads. Should I leave those on during the heat of the day, too?

[blackcrystal22]

It stays high 70s... definitely it's a lot warmer out there at night than it is in our house. I keep my central air on 73 or so. But, they have under the tank heat pads. Should I leave those on during the heat of the day, too?

Depends how warm it gets above the heat pad. If it gets above 95F then I would say no.

[twh]

We do have pest control monthly

this would be a possible concern as reptiles are sensitive to chemicals.could animals (dogs,cats,racoons etc.) break into there enclosure's ?