Experienced Breeders' Advice Needed

[Stefan-A]

Do we need to open the fridge at all other than to change the water to give them air?

I seem to recall that some who brumate their animals in fridges open the door once a day.

[ConcinusMan]

I seem to recall that some who brumate their animals in fridges open the door once a day.

yeah, the mini fridges can be costly. I've heard that people use them, and just leave the door cracked a bit, keeping the snakes at upper 40's to low 50's. Seems like a PITA to me, and I can think of many potential problems that might arise.

Last time I brumated, I put the snakes in well ventilated plastic tubs with paper towels for substrate. As was stated, it only needs to be big enough to hold the snakes and water dish. Having an unheated garage, I simply put them out there when the weather got cold enough. I monitored the temperature closely from inside the house by using a thermometer with a radio transmitter and receiving station in the house. I set the max and min temperature limits so an alarm would go off should the temperature fall too low or too high. I brumate for at least 60 days. I realize this is no solution in your situation. I still think that the fridge idea can be too risky.