a fan for fridge to hybernate

AlexPan · 01-05-04, 12:56 PM

hey every 1. I got a pair of Banded Cal Kings.. the only way i can have a chance to hybernate my snakes is by using a fridge.. so my quistion is, is there some kind of an air conditioner which i can install in my fridge to bring fresh air inside but at the same time cool the air down to the same temperature as the air inside? Hope some one can give me some tips

Thanks every 1.

Lisa · 01-05-04, 01:10 PM

you could try putting something to keep the door slightly ajar.

AlexPan · 01-05-04, 01:41 PM

you meen keep it a little open?.. but won't it let the cool air out and bring the warm air in which is usually like 20*C?

Jeff Hathaway · 01-05-04, 02:18 PM

You can safely hibernate them in a fridge with the door closed. I have hibernated animals in a separate fridge which was only opened once a week to check on them. They were all fine. There is lots of air in there, and their respiration rates are so low that it will last a long time.

Any air exchange that is constant will likely overwhelm the fridge's ability to stay cold.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

C.m.pyrrhus · 01-05-04, 02:34 PM

Funny this has been brought up again. I stated last time about friends that use fridges to brumate their snakes and such. They usually put about a 1/4" to 1/2" hole in the door for ventilation.
Lately, I was checking some websites (don't have the URLs) about oxygen content and other environmental qualities inside of refridgerators. It was covering foods and so on, yet seemed to have enough of what it took to control a brumation period for snakes. I honestly think I may go this route next year. Due to some local record breaking cold spells, other factors and so on, I realized that a fridge just may be one good way to control the whole brumation period. I never looked into it this much except a few weeks ago. Looks good enough for me.....

AlexPan · 01-05-04, 03:25 PM

Thanks guys but i would feel more satysfyted if i had a fan which i dscribed earlier. I gess the wholes might work but in my room it is always really HOT so that might be a problem. Thanks for youre help

Lisa · 01-05-04, 04:11 PM

If it makes you feel more comfortable you could always open the fridge once a day blow some air in and then close it again... even though other people have said that they have no problem with the fridge as is.

Scales Zoo · 01-05-04, 04:18 PM

What about an aquarium air pump, set up on a timer to come on a few times a day. That would bring in fresh air, but not do anything drastic to the temperature.

Ryan

C.m.pyrrhus · 01-05-04, 04:23 PM

Think about natural hibernaculum. The places that snakes brumate are far from having a strong air circulation. I would bet that your fridge has better air circulation than most areas used to brumate naturally in the wild. It is not like you seriously need a fan to keep fresh air available 24/7. Just enough to keep the oxygen level high enough, which is not much (depending on the number of animals) for brumating snakes.

AlexPan · 01-05-04, 04:31 PM

wow thats a great idea Scales Zoo

. Thanks every one

Invictus · 01-06-04, 01:54 AM

Make sure you check the temps of the fridge first. I was going to brumate my snakes in a fridge, but even on the lowest setting, the temperature wouldn't go above 41 degrees. That's too risky for my liking.

Stockwell · 01-06-04, 04:21 AM

There are some good posts here...
Fridges have MUCH MORE THAN ENOUGH AIR for brumating a few colubrids...They don't consume much air, especially when they're shut down.
BUT, as Invictus points out... most fridges get too cold (for some species)
Cal Kings that are subjected to 3 months of temps in the high 30's and 40's can end up messed up in the Spring.(I've seen it)
Try to keep Temps above 50F. This can be done by turning up all the adjustment thermostats, by cracking the door, or by putting the entire unit on a separate thermostat, which is then put inside.

Vengeance · 01-06-04, 08:49 AM

Call me a newbie but why would you hibernate your snakes anyway? Is it specifically for breeding purposes?

Invictus · 01-06-04, 09:58 AM

Yes. Many snakes (including Cal Kings and some Milks) will not breed without a period of brumation. It's not really hibernation because they are not sleeping - it's just a period of inactivity due to cold temperatures. It's also believed that the cooling period aids in sperm production in the male. And even if you're not breeding, its sure nice to have 3 months off from feeding duties.

AlexPan · 01-06-04, 05:49 PM

Just to get everything wright, here is what i think i'm supposed to do... stop feeding the snakes for 2 weeks so that all of their food will go out... hybernabte them for two weeks and the temperature have to be between 55-60F... warm them up for another 2 weeks and feed them a lot... then introduce them to each others cages so they get used to smells for a day or so... waight till they shed (but do not have to)... then poot them together for a week to mate... then seperate them for 2 days... then poot them togethen for another 1 week for the best fertalization... then separate... feed bouth of them... ones the female lays eggs incubate the eggs with the temperature of 82F.

Invictus you said it take 3 month, but as far as i know it takes like 6 1/2 weeks.. so where am i wrong? If something is wrong in here plz let me know. Thank you for youre time.