Heat rock Q

I would like to know what care sheet you came across that recommends a heat rock for cage.
On a semi-related note, while flipping through the channels and came across a show geared towards children on Animal Planet that demonstrated cage setup for a iggy. One of the things that they recommended was a heat rock for the cage.

I`ve covered a rock with a snake bag and then added a 1/2"layer of aspen sub and it works fine in a pinch.But not for long term use.

Sounds like a fire hazard to me. I'm not sure why people are so dead-set on using those rocks when it's probably much easier to just slide a heating pad under your tank.

Theres not a heat rock made that can ignite a cotton snake bag,if the temps ever got to such a level it would bust the rock(clay which is kiln fired @ 180*)Heating to levels above 120* fer any period can cause the clay to fragment.If they were fired at a higher temp to begin with it would be a different story. The units themselves are very safe to operate,just not a good thing to use without some common sense.Snakes are some of the dumbest critters on earth(next to a few snake owners)
This is why we use heat tape over heat pads,heat pads fail,flex tape doesnt,some users report 10+ years of consistant service and thats ALOT of heating pads.
But if your in a bind and need heat,then a rock thats buffered/covered will get ya through till a different source can be had.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JLC

Sounds like a fire hazard to me. I'm not sure why people are so dead-set on using those rocks when it's probably much easier to just slide a heating pad under your tank.

---

Unfortunately a lot of pet stores do nothing but perpetuate the ill-advised use of heat rocks DESPITE also stocking UTH solutions usually hanging less than a foot away!! Very odd considering they somehow either know its wrong to use them (as you don't see them being used in diplay cages) or are actually too cheap to practice what they are (incorrectly) preaching. If you can correct someone who is advising this in a caresheet please do.

Fromo a different angle alltogether any sock that would be thich enough to buffer that heat would likely be something as thich as a wool hiking sock or so - baaad idea those loose-knit fibers can snag on scales all kinds of ways, I dont think cotton would be any better though certainly the weave would be tighter.

Drop $10 on a heat pad.

Valid points !
But we have figured out what works and I can use a rock as described and maintain a very good grade for temp use.Rescueing critters like all our snakes doesnt afford such things as stocking flexwatt and Stats.Rescues include tanks and all the stuff the owners had which includes ROCKS. Setting up the cage properly(working with what you have) applying experience......misting and what have you the snake is on the right track ASAP and thats far better then dropping a 10 spot for something we have no faith in.
The word is DONT or CANT applies for those needing cautious teachings/learning,rocks arent for long term use,but the FACT remains they will work and work GOOD.
I`m sorry if we offend anyone but heating pads arent good enough for the animals we care for.
Granted they work and people get by with them,but we extend to providing better and will always defend such care measures.

Seriously though, does anyone know if they still recommend the use of heat rocks for lizards??

Some do and some dont
6 of 1,half dozen of ther other
Most tub users use heat pads,but heat tape is used in racks

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eddie_Z

Seriously though, does anyone know if they still recommend the use of heat rocks for lizards??

---

I would never use an evil heat rock. When I was a kid, I was given an iguana named Al who had severe burns on his stomach from being on one.
I would not us one, even if it were buried underneath substrate. Gunther, my '03 male Bp, will burrow under ANYthing you put in his cage. I've seen him ignore many nice hides in order to bury himself under the aspen substrate (which I have now discarded in favor of newspaper.) If I had a heatrock under twenty sheets of newspaper with lead weights at all sides of the cage, I am still convinced that Gunth could get under that and get burnt!
If it was absolutely unavoidable, I'd raise the cage up a few inches, flip the rock over and put it unde the cage with he flat side facing up and touching the cage, with cloth between. The irregular surface of the rock is what causes "hot spots" to form, which are what'll burn your herp.