Quote Originally Posted by Jhussey View Post
Here's what the book says, I'm quoting it so I may get in trouble for it, "...and hot spots with surface temperatures up to 145 degrees F."*

Now am I miss reading that? Is it not saying to have the surface in the basking part of the enclosure at 145 degrees? So I guess my confusion comes in when a heat rock get to 120 degrees but the basking area platform gets to 145 degrees. Heat rocks are bad because they burn, but the wood platform under my basking spot is at 145 degree should burn them too right?
So what is the best way to provide those high heats? I was going to use a 150 watt CHE in the basking area. With out any heat source set up now the ambiant air temp is 78 degrees all around. I haven't set up the basking area yet because I'm trying to get all this info squared.

I'm just trying to get all this information straight before I got and buy a monitor. I want what's best for him/her obviously. There's just so much conflicting information out there.

*The Savannah Monitor Lizard, The truth about Varanus Exanthematicus

I keep my surface temperature at 120 degrees, I honestly can't tell you why a heat rock is any different, I wish I could. What I can tell you is that I have never had a burn from my basking spot, but have had them from heat rocks.

When I rescued my Nile monitor, he/ she had such a bad burn from a heat rock that I have to keep all of his/ her temps on the low side or it really irritates the scar on its belly, and tail. My vet told me to keep his/ her basking spots at no more that 100 degrees. I guess it could also vary on how sensitive your animal is, or if it has any weak spots such as scars like my Nile monitor.