Winter prep and emergency kits
Getting your setup ready for cold weather and power cuts.
Winter checklist
- Check every thermostat is working.
- Replace old bulbs before they fail.
- Test temperatures at both ends.
- Keep spare heat sources and bulbs.
- Monitor humidity: central heating dries the air.
Build an emergency kit
- Torch
- Spare thermometer
- Spare heat source
- Power bank
- Travel tub
- Your exotic vet's details
If the power goes out
Insulate enclosures with blankets, keeping ventilation clear. Move small animals into insulated travel tubs together with wrapped hand warmers or hot water bottles, never in direct contact. Most healthy reptiles cope with a short drop in temperature; long cold spells are the danger.
Christmas safety
Keep tinsel, loose wires, glass baubles, artificial snow and candles well out of reach of curious reptiles. And remember: a reptile should never be a surprise gift.
This guide is general advice. For health concerns, always speak to an exotic vet.
Last updated October 2026. Care guidance is subject to change as husbandry research develops.
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