Posted by:
bighurt
at Thu Mar 29 17:31:10 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by bighurt ]
Almost every reptile can safely use a hot rock but there are some requirements. The big problem with hot rocks is ignorance.
People assume that if they give the snake a hot surface or any reptile for that matter. That with a warm surface that reptile can properly thermoregulate and properly digest prey items. That is ignorant, why because hot rocks provide just a hot surface while doing nothing for the rest of the enclosure. In essense the rock can be 100 and the air temps in the cage may be like 60, that not only is a improper gradient but it will get make the reptile stay on teh rock longer to heat up to the same temperature, resulting in burns.
Keep in mind that heat tape, heat pads, UTH's, and hot rocks work on the same principle. They heat an element in a material that than creates a warm surface. So when used incorrectly each can create its own set of problems. This is why I am an advocate of RHP's or other devices.
Not only is RH better for the animal but it takes less to achieve the same goal.
Also I am not apposed to any of the above devices assuming they are used properly. Placing a hot rock in a cage that is already 80* (air temp) would be the same as placing a rock under a incandesent light, assuming close proximity.
With reptiles its all about variable's there is no one answer there are a bunch of these help those don't.
Also keep in mind some manufactures hot rocks are better than others, some get very hot spots where as some diperse heat across their surfcae better. In fact I used to recommend a brand of hot rocks that were made out of granite with a heat code epoxied in its core, heated wonderfully. I recommended it has a option not as the primary basking or heat source.
Best of Luck
-----
Jeremy
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer
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RE: Stupid hot rocks!!! - bighurt, Thu Mar 29 17:31:10 2007