Temp Heat Packs

[frankykeno]

Okay folks had quite a scare here yesterday with a huge windstorm that knocked our power out for hours. Thank goodness the house held it's heat well and the snakes never got cold but it was a good lesson to plan ahead. The weather is forecasting for another high wind storm with possible snow in two days so I'm heading out to pick up some of those heat packs thingies.

Just need some advice. I have a large sports store and WalMart nearby. What should I look for when purchasing these heat packs and how are they best used with snakes in sterlite tubs. I just want to have some on hand as living out by the lake we are at the mercy of high winds and older power lines and a generator just isn't in the budget right now. Anytime we've lost power it's never more than 2 or 3 hours but Michigan winters can be brutal and I want to be prepared for any eventuality.


~~Jo~~

[Sassafrass]

Walgreens sells little hand warmer type heat packs that last 10 hours. They are $.99 for 2.

But, if you have a longer outage, here is a link for 60 and 40 hour heat packs. They are pretty cheap. I'm gonna nab some soon for shipping my beardies.

http://cvexotics.safewebshop.com/60_...eat_packs.html

At the bottom of the page there is a link for the 40 hour packs.

And as for using them, I'd say to wrap them in an old towel, and the snakes will probably curl up around them. Probably best to put them in one of their hides.

[JimiSnakes]

Some of those heat packs can get very hot, so be careful. You might want to wrap it in a cloth or something if you ever have to put one in with them.

~Jim

[frankykeno]

Wrapping in a towel sounds good. I was also thinking of trying to design something that I could put the heat packs in with holes to let heat out but not big enough to allow the snake in to have contact with the heat pack.



~~Jo~~

[Sassafrass]

Get some of those disposable Ziplock containers. Poke holes in them, and viola! Instant 'radiator'!

[frankykeno]

Oh there's a good idea! Gotta love this forum and us smart snakey folks! LOL


~~Jo~~

[TekWarren]

I still recommend a UPS battery unit for extended down time. You won't have to mess with heat packs and your temps will stay as you have them set. Although yes I suppose the battery could rund down but with just a few heating elements you should be well off for a good length of time (days even depending on the unit you buy).

[cmore09284]

Are these heat packs available at wal-mart or any other department store? The pet shop in town is quite small and has a limited number of things for snakes. What else could be used as a temporary heat? I'm driving 5 hours back home for Thanksgiving and am going to take my snake with me...but I want to figure out how to keep her warm for the trip. Thanks

[frankykeno]

WalMart usually has HotHands-2 mini instant heat packs right up near their cash registers. For about $2.00 you get six of them per package. They last about 10 hours each but you do need to wrap them in something so the snake can't get directly to them and try them out first to see how warm they actually get in whatever space you are wanting to use them in.

UPS battery unit Heath? I must go back and carefully read Daniel's thread if that's where you first mentioned this option. They are saying this is going to be a bad winter and Michigan winters aren't fun to begin with LOL so I want to plan ahead as well as start thinking of next year when hopefully we will have some eggs to worry over.


~~Jo~~

[mlededee]

you can also get those heat packs here (and for a little cheaper i believe): http://superiorenterprise.com/catalo...t.php?cPath=29. i tested out the hot hands brand that walmart carries and was rather unsatisfied with them. the uni heat packs are about twice the size, get hotter and hold the heat much better. i use them for shipping geckos and they work great.