I know that when summer kicks in the thermal gradients may get more challenging. Using some darker rocks seems like a good way to still have hot spots even with the lamps hanging higher, and there's a parking lot getting ripped up where I can grab all the big chunks of it that I want. I don't see any reason that the stuff would be harmful, but just in case I figured I'd check, in case anyone's found that it has a tendency to crumble into toxic dust or something like that.
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0.1 2006 Western Hognose (Bebe)
0.1 age unknown Cane Toad (Hengo)
0.1 2005 White-Banded Sheen Skink (Minerva)
1.0 2006 Northern Diamondback Terrapin (Queequeg)
1.0 2006 Madagascan Speckled "Hognose" (Sigmund)
1.0 2008 Bullsnake (Winkle)
1.2 2008 Eastern Collared Lizards (Pancho, Lupe, and Chica)
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Is blacktop safe?
Replies (5)
Interesting question. I have no idea about the safety of blacktop. I hate the way it smells on a hot summer day!
But now ya got me thinking. I might consider hunting in my creek bed for very dark colored rocks that might hold heat better. Currently I have all light colored rocks because it matches the sand and decor! Maybe darker rocks would be better on the basking sites. I'm not sure about blacktop though.
I wouldn't use it. It has been exposed to oil and who knows what else that has dripped out of cars. I think getting rocks from the boonies where there is less chance of chemical exposure is a better idea. I don't bake rocks, but I do scrub them with a bleach and water solution, rinse well and let them air out for a few days before putting them in the terrarium. I don't use any rocks from around town, nor would I feed my lizards any insects that I could catch in my yard. You never know what kind of pesticides and other chemicals your neighbors and people around town have been using.
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Valerie
We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.--
God bless the USA
I would never use blacktop pavement as there is a certain amount of oil/tar in it, hence it being "blacktop". In addtion to any oil, gas, antifreeze, chemicals and who knows what else is dumped on the road from either accidents or carelessness. I would simply go rock hunting somewhere you know where it is safe and find what you need and clean it up so your collareds can enjoy them.
Totally agree with everything that was said, Ya want something darker use slate. (Flagstone)
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PHEve / Eve
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