So, I recently acquired my coworkers big normal male (like 1800+g and 4.5' in the summer) since she couldn't keep him at her parent's house anymore. She had him in a 20L with a red lamp and no hide when I got him. I got him a wood half log since it was the only thing I could find on short notice, and he was very appreciative. It gets about 100 degrees on the very top if right above it , so I keep it off to the side and it hits part of the floor lower down (I also added a spare clip I had to it to lift it up and lower the surface temp). The inside is a cozy 90. Luckily, in a few weeks, I'm getting a rack to keep him and my albino in.
In preparation for the rack, I got some reptile basics hides today in the mail. I put two in my albino's big exo terra (that I'm selling after two months of usage to switch to v70's). I put the third in the normal's tank. It was a bit big, but he figured out how to get into it. Then I went to dinner.
Two hours later I come home and he's on the opposite end hugging his water bowl. I touch the hide; its kinda ...really hot. Get out the heat gun... 130+ degrees on top. NOPE.
Checked him out, and his skin is still healthy and clean as can be; luckily. Back to the wood log for now.
Lesson learned and a warning. Plastic hides or furniture and heat lamps don't mix well (even if regulated or elevated).
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