.png)
With winter quickly approaching, it is important to make sure that you are prepared to keep your pet reptile safe during any unexpected power outages. Unlike the thumbnail, our scaly friends can't bundle up to stay warm! Reptiles rely on external heat to maintain all of their vital functions, being exposed to cold temperatures for an extended period of time can have serious health consequences. One of the simplest ways to make sure your reptile is able to stay warm during an outage is to have a generator. Outdoor gas or solar generators produce more power and are able to run household appliances and your reptile’s set up. If that isn’t an option, battery-powered portable generators are a cheaper, smaller generator that can keep your reptile’s heat lamps on for a while (the amount of time varies by the size of the portable generator and brand).
Even if you already have a generator, it is a good idea to have an emergency kit prepared for your reptile just incase.
A winter emergency kit for your reptiles should include:
Temporary enclosure (plastic container)
Heat packs
Towels/Blankets
Paper towels/basic cleaning supplies
Infrared heat gun or battery powered probe thermometer/hygrometer
Water and food containers
Premixed food diets
Keeping small travel-sized containers to use as temporary enclosures during an outage or other severe weather storms makes it easy to evacuate or relocate with your animals if needed. A plastic container with a locking lid works well, be sure to create holes in the sides of the container using a drill or soldering iron to allow proper ventilation.
To provide warmth for your reptile, opt for heat packs that are designed for shipping live reptiles. Hand warmers and hot water bottles should not be used as they can reach dangerously high temperatures and can burn your pet. Reptile-specific brands such as Uniheat have instructions to explain how long they can provide warmth, and how to properly use them to provide a safe temperature for your reptile. For species that are prone to overheating, such as crested geckos, liquid based Cryopaks are a safer option as they maintain a steady temperature around 72F. Heat packs should be wrapped in a small towel or blanket at the bottom of the container to make sure the reptile does not have direct contact with the heat pack. Keeping paper towels on the bottom of the container to use as a liner will make quick clean up easier if needed. A simple, pet safe disinfectant can be used to clean up messes as well.
An infrared temperature gun should be kept nearby or included in the emergency kit to make sure your reptile’s temperature is within the appropriate range for their species. If you don’t have an infrared temperature gun or would rather keep the container closed, a battery-powered thermometer/hygrometer with a probe can let you monitor the temperature and humidity levels (just make sure to have a hole you can fit the probe through pre-planned).
Even in the temporary enclosure, your reptile should have access to drinking water to make sure they do not become dehydrated while waiting to be returned to their enclosure. If the outage only lasts for a few hours your reptile will be okay without access to water, but it is better to be prepared incase the outage lasts longer than expected. For this same reason, keeping premixed food diets such as Repashy on hand is a good last resort incase of power outages or if driving conditions are not safe enough to purchase food for your reptile during the winter. If your reptile does not readily eat powdered diets, freeze dried bugs from a company such as ProBugs are a good alternative.
During the outage, avoid handling your reptile unless necessary to reduce the stress they may be experiencing. Once the outage has passed, closely monitor your reptile’s health for any potential signs of a respiratory infection. If any symptoms are present, have your reptile checked by a veterinarian.