OP what kinds of animals are you trying to keep? You said lizards right? What kinds, monitors, tegus?
Anyway, the main problem with heat rocks is that they heat unevenly. The rock can be 95° except in certain small spots that can get up to 130-150°. The animal will bask on it even if it feels the hurt, and will continue to bask because the rest of the surface is comfortable. Heat tape is far more stable temp wise as well as heat lights.
Plus they don't realize it's the rock hurting them, to them it just looks and feels like a warm rock.
This is the same reason flood lights are better than spot bulbs. You have to heat the whole animal evenly. 5 minutes basking at 120°(at least in most lizards) is far better than basking 45 minutes at 95° with a small spot at 120°, that's when burns happen.
Reply With Quote