Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been busy last few days.
I just wanna be clear, I'am not here trying to flame anyones posts or comments. I also dont speak about thing I cant back.

We are all here to learn and share each others Collared lizard experinces.

Linked straight from there website International Veterinary Information Service http://www.ivis.org/

All Heatrock info you'll need:
http://www.anapsid.org/hotrock.html

Hi Aaron,

I personally do NOT like them, and never have or will use them. Rescuing a uromastyx that had 3 degree burns right to the bones, and watching her suffer for over a year while healing, has made me very cautious with all lighting as well. I had even mentioned that in my post , I personally did not use them.
But I said some do use them with collareds. I believe our buddy Will Wells has told us he has used them for years. I also know many who have had burned lizards(not collareds) from them.
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

I use heat rocks in a few of my enclosures. Of course
I always cut the cords off prior to setting them under
the basking lights. They have a nice smooth semi flat
surface which works quite well as a basking rock.

I have seen such burns as you are referring to Eve. Not
a pretty sight. One of the main problems with the heat
rock is that the adjustable heat rheostat sometimes
malfunctions. By the time you think that there's something
wrong, it's often too late as lizards are often slow to detect
the burning sensation of an out of control heat rock. Mainly
because they heat up gradually and really unnoticed by the
soon to be baked lizard.

I also don't like the idea of a cord running under the substrate.
I haven't had too many lizards who didn't like to dig or chew
on a new find that they might uproot. A little spilled water and
a frail cord and that's just another accident waiting to happen.

If you notice, most lizards are pretty plain on their more delicate ventral sides but they exhibit much more shades of color as well as contrasting patterns on their backs so as to absorb heat and calcium (through uvb absorption) by way of
their more colorfully protected back sides.

John

This has always been my opinion of them also John, right down to the cord in the tank. I heard bad things years ago about them malfunctioning, and lizards being horribly burned. To me it was sort of like putting an electric iron in with them, I would not do that either.

On the other hand some do use them, and swear they have never had a problem. We all have our own thoughts on things we believe to be safe or unsafe, things we would use or would never buy or trust. I would rather be TOO careful/ or overly cautious, and opt NOT to use them.
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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

I just love these kind of debates, I would agree that if they are used improperly they can be harmful. In my experiance only snakes are those animals that have burned themselves. A collared lizard likes the extreme heat of the desert and are out at mid day when temperatures are 106 and the rocks they bask on are 120. But the light should be the main source of heat and the rock secondary. And that is all this is a debate not your wrong and I'm right, don't take anything I say as getting mad I'm just like you for information and to share what I know in my years of experiance. Very nice picture by the way where was it taken?
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Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

Regarding the snakes- agreed. That's what I've heard, and a lot of those little sources on the Kaplan site referenced snakes, not lizards.
But anyway, I really just posted to say hey neat, it's a hot topic now... how does that happen? lol
~tiff
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"Were the diver to think upon the jaws of the shark, he would never lay hands on the precious pearl."

Picture was taken last year in Redrock recreation area.,NV just 20 mins west of las vegas. One of the best places in the world for any Herper.

i hate heat rocks!!!!!!!!!!
personally for any lizard i go with uth every reptile i have owned before i found out about uths i had a heat rock and each on of them had gotten burned for sitting on it to long my iggy needed to go in for surgery because the burns got infected. my beardie healed. my uromastyx died. after that i found out about uth and thats what i use.

HI,
I'm new, but not new to reptilian care. I am of the position that I would not reccommend a amateur to use a heat rock. While personally have used heat rocks in the past with NO complications, I read the warning label, which was almost word for word like the past post.

1)Please do not use a heat rock if you are new to them.

2)If you do decide to use a HR then abide by the directions, not under heat lamps,this is a definite no-no

3)If you must absolutely use one please try it out befor you put it in the tank, run it for a few days, and just get it warm to the touch, remember, these animals are not on them for a baking, and if you are warmed by it, the critter will be too.

4) I always am around. My business is my Reptiles, so I can afford to check a heat rock everychance I get, but I am also aware that the older the rock gets, the more prone it will be to not heating effectively one day, and overheating the next.

5)I used a small heat rock in my Saharan tank this winter because I had to place the tank near a window, and adhering to the "one basking spot" rule, used warmed it and used it at night, and for that purpose it was fine.

KIND OF OFF-TOPIC, MERCURY VAPOR LAMPS CAN BURN A HERP FASTER THAN A HEAT ROCK. ALWAYS ALLOW 20" BETWEEN THE REPTILE AND THE VAPOR LAMP. MOST DO NOT TELL YOU THIS, THEY ASSUME YOU KNOW. SO EVEN SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A LAMP YOU MAY USE EVERY DAY, AND TRUST TO KEEP YOUR ANINMALS WARM, CAN TURN BAD REAL FAST.

6) one thing I have grown used to. All of us have had differing experiences, good, or bad, and all we can do is share info. In my 10 years as a Zoologist I have found that I have still a lot to learn, and most of it is by the experiences of others.
Bickering may seem to be a fun thing, but when I log in I do not want to see a lot of fighting, name calling or demeaning behaviour toward one who is just starting out and asking questions.

If we can all remember this one rule, everyone can reap the rewards.

"The only stupid question is the one you do not ask"

Lisa

PS, I tend to speak my mind. I am learning myself, everyday that I work in my Reptile Room, and the Aviary. Anyone who thinks that I know more is wrong. Scisnce is far from the answer, all you can do is understand the herps that you work with. And conscientiously check ALL your equipment daily for safe operation around your animals.

The exo-terra desert style under tank heater heats to 100 degrees, and the jungle version heats to 84 degrees I don't see why you would need a heat rock. If using sand or another decent heat conductor you should have no need for a heat rock. But lots of people use them, I've never used them but I have used heat pads and can speak for their reliability and versatility and I know those are two problems with heat rocks.
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-J.Hill