I think 70 is alittle to low for the ambient temperature. I wouldn't go any lower than 75. Yea, I hate winter and I use to be in the basement also (didn't have snakes) but could easily feel the cool ness as I walked from upstairs to downstair's.
Maybe it's just a unique behavior your tic is doing? I would check the heating in the setup and made sure that the number's were right? Before it get's to cold from the winter. That's just me.