Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok so my main basking spot for my dragon is a huge plastic stick that can get her up right next to her "hot" basking lamp (I have 3.. a hot, med, and one just kinda a little warm). Now I have measured it with a probe and it comes out at 108 degrees but she will never sit right underneith of the light, but kinda off to the side of it almost like it is too hot.. I cant find the right wattage bulb to get the "perfect temp" for her so what I'm wondering is what do you guys use for basking spots? Bricks, rocks, sticks (plastic or real) gimme some input so I can make my baby happy! Thanks all!

I have the same hot spot in my enclosure and find the same situation they don't bask directly.

However I stole the Retes stack idea from the monitor world, and a man by the name or Frank Retes.

It is essentially planks of wood 10" or 12" square with a hole in it, I cut them at random so they don't line up. These are then attached to 2x2 or 2x2 lumber so that they have a 1.5" cleat. Take these and stack them up. Essentially you get a stack of wood with spaces in between.

I stack mine up so that the top is the max basking temp. The areas below are a few degrees cooler all the way down.

This gives them a temp range, as well as cover since currently all I have are hatchlings.

Works well I am very statisfied.

Just and idea.
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.11 Red Bearded Dragons
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1.0 Green Iguana
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0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

are your heat sources hooked up to a hemostat or rheostat? You can then just turn it down a little if you think it is to hot.

As far as basking areas, I created a little pyrmid in the "hot" area of the cage using paving stones. That way there are little perches at different heights for her to self-regulate. My baby likes to hang off the back side so you can only see her head (I think she feels more secure)

Powersum by Zoo-Med, it's about 10" from the rock and is 107f

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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Drago)
1.1 Desert Iguana(Dima, Dianne)
1.0 Green Iguana (Igor)
1.2 Collared Lizard (Fred, Wilma, Betty)
1.1 Desert Leopard Lizard (Simba, Kimba)
1.2 Desert Horned Lizard (Spike, Rose, Jade)
0.1 Hamster (Diamanta)
1.1 Kids
0.1 Wife

SOunds find to me. THe important thing about setting up basking spots is the dragon has choices of temps to bask in. 108F is fine for a baskign temp and the dragon will get up into it when it needs the extra heat. As long as it does have cooler areas to bask in (falling in the 95-115F range), is eating well, pooping well and otherwise healthy and active, there is no need to change anything.

One concern though, is these plastic sticks you are using? Are they actually plastic or a special resin/plastic that can tolerate high heats without melting. If not, I would replace them with wood, bricks, rocks/ slate tiles, etc. Also, not sure plastic sticks would provide sufficient gripping surface for your dragon to comfortably perch on.

Pictures would be nice, to see your setup,and see just what sort of plastic stick you are using,
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PHLdyPayne