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Will Summer kill my snakes?

disgurlchar

disgurlchar

New member
Hi guys,

Based in the UK which you might first think, how will summer kill my snakes? We don't have a summer!! Well it seems that it might do.

Our flat used to be very cold due to no central heating or double glazing, but now we have double glazing and the flat is always very warm, especially in this weather (16 degrees upwards). Anyway, we have 36inch vivariums for our two 3 year old corn snakes (housed separately), we used to have their 60w heat bulb going on at 70 and coming off at 85 (or there abouts, bf deals with temps not me) but our bulbs were blowing every week or 2 because they were constantly being turned on and off. So now we have the light on a 12 hour cycle, to be on during the day and off at night. We also have a heat mat which is on the same side as the light. The temperature on the hot side at night on average is in mid to high 70's but at 6am the light comes on and I have seen the temp reach mid 90's which I have always thought is very dangerous for the corn snakes. My boyfriend set up a fan on a timer so thats on when the light is on but I honestly dont think a poxy fan blowing around the same hot heat is really going to help! Has anyone got any ideas on how I can keep the light from going over 85 without having it turn on and off 100 times a day using a habistat thermostat. We did think of using a dimmer but there was a reason why we couldn't and I cant remember! Sorry, I know this sounds very amuteur like, but im not usually in charge of setting up the vivs and boyfriend knows what goes where and I dont. He wont listen to my concerns so im after some advice on how you guys keep your tanks cool? Would it be safe to have no light at all and just keep the heat mat on constant? Our temps were fine up until a few weeks ago where they keep getting higher.

I recently read one thread similar to mine and the bloke got a lot of stick for not having the right temps. I'm not on here to be laughed or moaned at. Our corn snakes have been very well looked after and they are both very healthy, we would not put them in danger which is why I am seeking advice. Thanks guys :)
 
Just ditch the light. They don't really need it anyway. Lights are better for snakes that need higher amibeint temps, like boas and royals.

How are you measuring the heat mat temps?
 
I thought that too, because surely its best to be 75 on hot side rather than 95! We measure the heat map temps through the habistat thermostat with the probe taped the botton of the tank just resting on the aspen bedding.
 
Yeah, lights are really not needed for corn snakes at all unless your flat is super cold in the winter.

Move the prob down to right on the glass under the bedding. That will give you a good read on the temps where your snake can burrow down to.

Honestly by eliminating the light, you really should be okay. Just add it back in the winter if it's super cold.
 
Well we are moving in August so hopefully we wont have this problem in a central heated place where we can control the temperature of the house. The Viv is wooden with glass doors, so shall i put it at the front underneath the aspen bedding? It will be ON the heat mat then?

I will take the light and fan off the timer plugs as soon as I get home. Thank you very much for your help, much appreciated.

So whats the coldest it can be on the hot and cold side? Both snakes tend to be in hides on their cold side, only rarely you will find our snow corn on his hot side.
 
Yep, the closer to the heat mat the better. That way you know what the snakes are coming into contact with.

I do not, and really have never, done anything to regulate the cold side. The way I look at it is, that if a warm side is provided, they will choose what temps suit them at the time. I don't fuss too much about it.

As long as you are offering a warm spot between 82-87, then they will be fine. They will go to where they need to be.
 
Good for you for asking. You will need to keep an eye on temps, and getting a good thermometer positioned on the "warm" side is the most important step. Here are a couple of other things to remember.

1. Even when the air temperature in the room gets up to 95, the snake doesn't immediately become 95 degrees. Like all living things, your snake is made more of water than anything else. Water has an extremely high heat capacity, meaning it takes a long time to change temperature. Although a few hours at 95 ambient temp isn't great, it shouldn't be lethal.
2. You're right that fans won't really help most of the time. The breeze makes us feel better because it evaporates moisture from our skin, as well as removing the heat we radiate as mammals. Snakes don't sweat. Fans can help cool them if A. they're wet from being in a swimming pool or water dish or B. They're overheated and the air temperature is significantly cooler.
3. You CAN make everybody in the room more comfortable with a little engineering, though. Make or buy a pouch of something like a linen dish towel. Insert a cold pack into the pouch. Pin the corners with diaper pins, unless you're crafty enough to sew grommets in the corners. Strap this to the front of the fan using short bungees and, hey presto, you have a mini air-conditioner.
4. You can also help keep your snakes comfortable in a warm room by giving them cool, fresh water during the heat of the afternoon. Some will soak a bit, others wrap around the cool dish. Be sure to change water daily. Bacteria multiply quickly in an environment like this.
4. Don't forget the obvious things. I say this not to insult your intelligence, but because like most people, I have occasionally done it myself. No need for a light. Don't position the viv in direct sunlight; that can become lethally hot very quickly. Don't get upset if your corn gets temperamental because of the heat.

And finally, don't worry too much. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where summer is an endurance effort. Sometimes we have tropical systems that knock out power for days. I've yet to lose a snake to summer temperatures. None of us enjoy those times, but we've all survived.
 
Charlotte, how are you measuring the temps? Most heatmats reach too high to be safe without a thermostat. So you need to measure the temperature right on the mat to be safe. I've got a spare proportional thermostat that would control both heatmats if you need it.
 
I think my boyfriend has both heat mats running off one thermostat, and then we have the baby's heat mat running off a separate thermostat.

We have moved the probe under the aspen bedding (on top of the heat mat) and this morning and it measured 82c, and last night (around 11) is was 85c.

Thanks for the offer janine, we only need the two though dont we?
 
Caryl said:
Good for you for asking. You will need to keep an eye on temps, and getting a good thermometer positioned on the "warm" side is the most important step. Here are a couple of other things to remember.

1. Even when the air temperature in the room gets up to 95, the snake doesn't immediately become 95 degrees. Like all living things, your snake is made more of water than anything else. Water has an extremely high heat capacity, meaning it takes a long time to change temperature. Although a few hours at 95 ambient temp isn't great, it shouldn't be lethal.
2. You're right that fans won't really help most of the time. The breeze makes us feel better because it evaporates moisture from our skin, as well as removing the heat we radiate as mammals. Snakes don't sweat. Fans can help cool them if A. they're wet from being in a swimming pool or water dish or B. They're overheated and the air temperature is significantly cooler.
3. You CAN make everybody in the room more comfortable with a little engineering, though. Make or buy a pouch of something like a linen dish towel. Insert a cold pack into the pouch. Pin the corners with diaper pins, unless you're crafty enough to sew grommets in the corners. Strap this to the front of the fan using short bungees and, hey presto, you have a mini air-conditioner.
4. You can also help keep your snakes comfortable in a warm room by giving them cool, fresh water during the heat of the afternoon. Some will soak a bit, others wrap around the cool dish. Be sure to change water daily. Bacteria multiply quickly in an environment like this.
4. Don't forget the obvious things. I say this not to insult your intelligence, but because like most people, I have occasionally done it myself. No need for a light. Don't position the viv in direct sunlight; that can become lethally hot very quickly. Don't get upset if your corn gets temperamental because of the heat.

And finally, don't worry too much. I live on the Mississippi Gulf Coast where summer is an endurance effort. Sometimes we have tropical systems that knock out power for days. I've yet to lose a snake to summer temperatures. None of us enjoy those times, but we've all survived.
Click to expand...

Wow, thank you for taking the time to reply to me in such detail! I will definitely have a go at making my own air con :) I have never seen our snakes soak in the water, but hey when im at work they might be lounging about in their swimwear having a whale of a time! Our Viv is near a window but doesnt face it, and I always make sure our curtains are shut before I leave for work to ensure that the sun doesn't directly shine on the viv. I know it must get hot where you live, and over here temps will only reach high 20's for like a week and thats pretty much our summer but as temps are climbing up to high teens at the moment i guess summer is on its way and didnt want to hurt my corns. Like I said in previous post, last summer wasn't really a problem because it remained cold in our flat all the time as we had gaps in our windows even when shut! Thank you again for all your advice, you've been more than helpful :)
 
disgurlchar said:
Janine, at what temperature on the HOT side would you start to worry if you thought it was too cold?
Click to expand...
As long as the hot side is 80, I don't worry at all about the ambient air temps or the cold side. I only ever run my central heating at 18-20 in the winter and haven't had any problems at all so far. As long as it's comfortable for you the corns will be ok.
In the summer I do draw the blind (it's got blackout lining so keeps the heat out), have the windows cracked open and have a big fan running. (But as you said, that's for about 5 days a year!)
 
diamondlil said:
As long as the hot side is 80, I don't worry at all about the ambient air temps or the cold side. I only ever run my central heating at 18-20 in the winter and haven't had any problems at all so far. As long as it's comfortable for you the corns will be ok.
In the summer I do draw the blind (it's got blackout lining so keeps the heat out), have the windows cracked open and have a big fan running. (But as you said, that's for about 5 days a year!)
Click to expand...

haha yes, sounds about right doesnt it. The weather is nice at the moment but still not sun bathing weather! Ok then, well I'll just keep my eye on it but I reckon they will be a lot happier now without the light on, and the fixture takes up half the bloody room but I might as well leave it there now :( Thanks, how was fishing by the way ?
 
diamondlil said:
As long as the hot side is 80, I don't worry at all about the ambient air temps or the cold side. I only ever run my central heating at 18-20 in the winter and haven't had any problems at all so far. As long as it's comfortable for you the corns will be ok..... (But as you said, that's for about 5 days a year!)
Click to expand...

Yep. That's pretty much it in a nutshell. And I gotta say, I'd trade weather with you in a heartbeat! Moving south was hubby's idea...:sidestep: I miss the snow!
 
Miss the snow? Well I guess over there you dont just get 1 or 2 inches like we do, you get feet if not metres? haha! Id love to be in the sun all year round, would be heavenly. But only If I could wander out into the sea and lay on the beach! We can all wish aye!
 
Aside from the humidity, tropical storms, bugs, and heat, the Mississippi coast is great! :rolleyes:

Of course, we have the same problems on the Texas Gulf Coast, plus crappy water quality due to outflow from the Mississippi River, so who am I to talk...
 
Guruofchem said:
Aside from the humidity, tropical storms, bugs, and heat, the Mississippi coast is great! :rolleyes:

Of course, we have the same problems on the Texas Gulf Coast, plus crappy water quality due to outflow from the Mississippi River, so who am I to talk...
Click to expand...

OK - if its not dry heat then I guess its pretty uncomfortable! Wouldnt be able to do deal with the bugs, I cry at the sight of a spider and I squeal when I step on a woodlouse.
 
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