Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here's another question with conflicting opinions, at least in my search results. Should you include a hide under the basking lamp? Or should you just keep hides in the middle and on the cool end?

Also, why isn't it appropriate to use under-tank heaters under the cool side hide at night? It seems that you could control temps better that way (i.e., keep temps in the mid-70s) versus using a ceramic bulb at nights since the hide would insulate against warm air flowing inside the nighttime hide.

Separately, is slate tile a good overall substrate? Or should I still go with sand or paper towels?

Thanks for the help. I ordered my uro and am in the process of getting a custom cage setup. Based on everyone's input, I returned my 33"x18" cage and am getting a 48" built right now.

A very shy Uro will stay under a hot side hide because it's temp needs are being met & don't require it to expose itself. However, if you only provide mid or low range hides, mid-day temps are too low to even prompt it to come out to bask. Even the most subtle stresses can induce excess hiding. Best to offer as many hides as possible in all temp ranges. New additions, whether CB or WC, can take time to come around. Especially if they were travelled through a mail or parcel service.
If your enclosures are properly set up, there should be no need for "UTH's" or night time heat. 90-130 temps on slabs of rocks & sand all day, in a good enclosure, tend to decline fairly slowly overnight. If you choose instead to utilize aquariums & cork bark, as some people do, all bets are off.
Don't know if this helps any but keep up the good questions.

Sorry, you had one other question. If your Uro is a baby or juvenile (up to yearling), play it safe with paper. After that, it's safe to say you'll find no clear consensus on the matter of substrate. Good luck!
Dan.

Thanks for the detailed responses. I want to get things set up correctly from day 1, and this really helps.

Actually, the thanks go to you for doing your homework & assuring things are done right. Sure sounds like you'll be a responsible keeper.