Hello everyone.

This weekend I will be going on vacation to Kings Island with my family. So there will be noone to watch my animals. I have left before and everything was fine, but now it is colder. I live in Ohio btw. My parents are making me turn every light and heater etc off since the house won't be checked on. I am just worried about the reptiles. All my small animals will just need big stocks of food. But my reptiles, what should I do? I have 1 Whites Tree Frog and 5 GTFs which I think should be alright. I have them near a window for some sun warmth, but not burning warmth. I also have my Cham which I will have to turn off his always on heat light. I usally just cover him with a towel when it's cold, this be okay for now? Also, I have my 2 Leopard Geckos and a Crested Gecko, and an Ameiva.

I will leave Friday and be back Sunday. The house should def get no colder than 60* though. At least the geckos will have glass cages to trap heat, towels be ovkay to put maybe half over lids? But the Cham is a screen cage which will be at room temp.

Any advice?

Thanks! =)

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*Cassie*
cmk2005@alltel.net

Well, if its not dipping below 60, then none of them will die, but being in such low temps for that many days could have an ill effect on them. There's no guarantee something will happen, but they could get sick, especially the cham. If you don't have any yet, I would go out and buy some automatic timers. You can get them at hardware stores for about $5-10, depending on whether you get the industrial strength ones or not. I use these and they work great. That way their lights and heat will come on and go out at the proper times. Twice a year I visit my grandparents for a week and leave the herps at home with no ill effects. If its fire your parents are worried about, perhaps you could have your neighbors keep an eye on your house? Fire's never been a problem or concern at my house though.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Yes they are paranoid when it comes to fire. 'Does this gecko REALLY need heat EVERY night?' *lol* Is what I hear sometimes.

Anyways,
It should only round up to about 2 full days. I do need to invest in some timers anyways though. Everytime I see them in petstores they are like $24 a piece though! And I'd need a few.

Would covering with a towel/blanket help in ANY way?

__________________
*Cassie*
cmk2005@alltel.net

I would convince them that the heat is necessary. Otherwise you may be in for a big vet bill if they come down with respiratory problems due to the cold
Not really. If there is nothing generating heat there is no heat to hold inside. And forget the overpriced pet store timers. Look at hardware stores. you can get simple timers for lamps that are about 5 bucks a peice.
There is no danger of fire if your cords are in good shape, your plugs aren't overloaded to the point that they look like spider nests and there is nothing flamable to get against the heat source or knock it over. There are many of us that have had multiple enclosures for many years and never had a fire.
Fire comes due to bad equipment or carelessness.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Well said Merlin. I have had wires and multiple plugs for the past 6 years and I have never had a fire problem. Like Merlin said

Fire comes due to bad equipment or carelessness.

Debbie Iggy Bam-Bam and Miss Zak

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It is better to have loved a green baby than not to have loved one at all.

Yea, go to a hardware store and buy timers there... MUCH less $$$!

Check your fixtures before you go and note how many are double pronged and how many are triple pronged (grounded). The Grounded cords will need "heavy duty" timers.

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~~Steph

"This I believe: That the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." John Steinbeck

Hey everyone.

I been back.
Good news, everyone is fine! My parents did keep the house warmer and I did talk them into letting me keep my Chameleon lights on!!
As for everything else was fine. I don't think it probably got as cold as I thought it would.

I didn't get timers yet, but will look into it. They just hook into the plug?

Oh and when I came back my Cham was shedding. Begging for a mist!

__________________
*Cassie*
cmk2005@alltel.net

The timers plug into the wall and the heaters/lights plug straight into the timer.
It's so simple even I can do it!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Glad everyone was fine when you got home! And I hope that you and your family had fun as well.

Merlin you are too funny! LOL

Debbie Iggy Bam-Bam and Miss Zak

__________________
It is better to have loved a green baby than not to have loved one at all.

Ah, I see.

Thanks you guys =)

__________________
*Cassie*
cmk2005@alltel.net