Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I would like to make a hideing place out of natural rocks. What can I use that would be safe to join the rocks together. I don't want the rocks to fall on him. Silicon, epoxy, etc.??? Thanks for any help

I used slate and joined them using hot glue. I haven't seen anything go wrong with it and it holds up fine as long as the rocks are clean so the glue can stick.
I'm not sure if it will cause a problem, but it hasnt yet.

omg... i would NEVER use a hot glue gun! that glue melts pretty easily and if you have the basking spot at the right temp (over 100 degrees) I can't see how that glue wouldn't soften and start to melt and get on the poor little uro!!

that doesn't sound like a safe Idea to me

I have very thin pieces of slate propped up on small rocks on sand. the uro crawls and burrows under them, but they are light enough in weight that they don't crush him. that's my advice use many smaller rocks and smaller pieces . do not put a BIG rock on sand b/c the uro WILL dig under it and can crush themselves!

Kris

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4.2 Bearded dragons (Lee,Stumpy,Blackie,Spazz,Lynn,Charlotte)
1 Egyptian Uromastyx (Niles)
1 Iguana (Gia)

We have a good sized piece of slate that is held up by two flat rocks, and it has been very successful for years. The trick, I've found, it to make sure that you pick really level rocks for the supports, and put rocks on the outside of the hide, on both sides, so if he is in the hide and pushing out on the supporting rocks, they won't slip out from under the slate. Also, push down on the slate to make sure it isn't wobbly. We've never worried about physically joining the rocks, since the stacking is so stable.

However, I would look into silicone, if you are still worried. We've used it for all of our aquirium/terrerium set-ups to create barriers using plexyglass. You want to make sure it is 100% silicone, but many aquarium stores will have it. BE CAREFUL, though, because while it dires, it lets off HEAVY fumes, so you should join them outside, and let it dry for 48 hours to have all the fumes released. Once that is over, it is perfectly safe for animals. I would, though, check the suitible temps, since I haven't used it in any desert environments.

Thanks for the advice, I have some roof shingles that I think would work great.

I only use the hot glue on the cooler end of the cage, for the hotter side i only use a big peice of slate touching the bottom of the cage with smaller pieces of slate that won't hurt my uromastyx if he moves them.