Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just purchased a couple of the pig blankets to heat a couple of kennels, which didn't work the way we had planned. Consequently I'm looking at reusing them in some of my large constrictor cages and outdoor tortoise barns.

I'm concerned with the warning that just came with these heat pads that said not to let anything other than the animals cover the heating surface. I bed my large columbians on shavings and wondered if anyone had a problem with heat build up and fire danger with the pig blankets.

Thanks!

Ian
Silver Rose Reptiles

What you want is a thermal mass to absorb or disperse (if that is the right word) the heat energy out from the heater into the object. An animal can be the thermal mass. So can some substrates. Wood shavings are not a great mass because they insulate so well.

I've had Kanes covered with a very thin layer of shavings so you could still see the red color between the particles. They worked fine as long as they are controlled. But really, there is no reason to bury them. Do you want to for aesthetics?

Use a dimmer and/or thermostat.
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Mark