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What to during a power outage in winter?

CoalsandEmbers

New member
Bad weather is setting in around most of the U.S. what do u do with your corn snake if your power goes out? How do u keep them warm? How do u feed them frozen thawed mice? I don't have a corn yet but it would be good to know.
 
Bad weather is setting in around most of the U.S. what do u do with your corn snake if your power goes out? How do u keep them warm? How do u feed them frozen thawed mice? I don't have a corn yet but it would be good to know.

In the past I have used hot water bottles wrapped in towels as a hot spot. If you only have one you can carry it under your shirt also. I'm assuming we're not talking a two week power outage which did happen to me once. In that case, I had to move everyone to a relative's house who still had power and I think one of the pet stores in town was offering refuge. Hope those ideas help. :)
 
If your power is out, absolutely do not feed!!! Usually we have some warning that a storm is approaching. If so- do not feed!

The 40 hour heat packs work well. You can put one in a deli cup, with holes, and put that in with your snake. You can also put your snake in a snake bag (test the corners first!!!) and carry it under your shirt.

If it's cold long enough that you have to leave, do not leave your animals behind. You can pack snakes in snake bags, then in Sterilites, then in reusable grocery bags, and take them with you.
 
So the best thing is to keep heat packs and deli cups on hand for emergency? And why not feed as normal? Is it because of the risk of regurgitation?
 
The heat isn't just to keep them cozy. After all, wild snakes still have to survive the winter, and even southern states get chilly. But they need the right temperatures to digest properly, otherwise the food rots in their tummies and they regurge it.
 
You hope they regurge the rotting food when temps are to cold to digest! It's when they can't regurge the rotting food due to temperatures to cold is when it becomes dangerous for the snake.

DO NOT FEED :)
 
You can also buy heavy-duty UPS (uninterruptable power supply) boxes that would probably run a heat mat for several days. I have one for my computer and some important equipment that it runs at work. It keeps the computer and the equipment with moving parts running for several hours.
 
Well, considering that most of my corns are brumating during that time...nothing. If the power was going to be out long, I'd pack them into deli cups and put them in a tub and take them to a relatives house that did have power. But, for the most part, nothing. Corns are made to winter naturally, so most temperature drops in the winter aren't going to hurt them. The only time I'd get concerned was if your power was out long enough for the ambient temp in your house to get down to freezing...maybe even down in the low 40s.
 
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