Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I noticed in Frank's picture of his flavs that the heat lamps were located inside the enclosure. I'm just wondering if anyone who has built their enclosure this way ever had a problem with the monitor burning itself on the lamp accidentally. I have a 6ft x 4 ft enclosure I keep a single argus monitor in. The enclosure is made out of wood and the basking area is screened on top. One time I noticed her investigating the enclosure and tripoded up towards the lamp while flicking its tongue. During one tongue flick its tongue came into contact with the lamp and it jerked away quickly. I became alarmed but this was many months ago and she is no worse for the wear. It is for this reason I'm hesitant to put heat lamps within the enclosure. With monitors such as ackies that do not really tripod I would say its a non-issue but with others like argus I could see them getting burn. I'd like to hear your thoughts. Am I being paranoid or do I have legitimate concerns? Thanks.

Hany

monitors burn themself when they dont have enough heat, thats when they jump at bulbs and such, when they have acess to proper heat they (exept crazy albig) they dont try to get in touch with bulbs.

I have a few cages with bulbs in the cage. If I think there is a chance of the monitor touching the light I just put a cage around the bulb.

Putting a wire cage around the bulbs will only now allow the monitor free hang on the hot wire and much closer to the bulbs.Bad idea esp. if you have a monitor that loves to climb and get into things.

I use mulitple 45 to 65(instead of a single 100 to 150 watt) flood lights that dont get too hot. My monitor will sometimes jump at them but never hangs on and just bounces right off. He has gotten a few small burns under his chin, but they go away pretty fast within the next shed.

Co-sign on the cage issue. It only CAUSES problems. And jeebus forbid the lizard manages to get INSIDE the cage and basically cooks itself to death. That has happened many times, unfortunately.
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robyn@proexotics.com

ShipYourReptiles.com
Pro Exotics Reptiles

Well I wouldn't put a cage over the heat lamp unless it was a monitor I knew couldn't get bc it was too big. I had a friend lose 1 of 2 CAPTIVE BRED emerald tree monitors that he produced that way. He was so embarrassed that that he made such a stupid mistake that he told people it died of other causes but admitted the truth to me. I don't have an issue with heat lamps in the enclosure with monitors like ackies but with a more dexterous monitor like argus and flav I think its risky. I understand what people are saying about low wattage bulbs being less of a risk but it still makes me nervous.

On a side note, would you happen to have a close up picture of the lids you made for your cattle troughs Robyn. I just purchases 2 8-footers and 2 6-footers and I need to make lids. If you have pics plz send to argus0025@aol.com. Thanks

Argus, I know I addressed this on the other forum but it still seems like you're having issues.

You mentioned you think it's risky for the more agile monitors, And it makes you nervous. Keep in Mind that Every single one of FR's monitors are kept in cages with exposed heat lamps. I think there have been well over 2 dozen monitor species in FR's cages throughout the years...No burns!!! Every single one of my cages that has included many different types of animals including boas, JCPs, colubrids, iguanas, Ackies, Gouldi complex, Beccari, Prasinus, geckos etc have exposed bulbs. I have never had an animal with a burn. I think you are complicating the issue.

Goofy things like 5000 watt bulbs and screen covers and light cages are issues. Not low wattage exposed bulbs.

I had a monitor get a burn mark on his back from the light...which was behind a screen on the top of the cage. He could not touch the light bulb itself but still had a blister from the heat lamps. The wood stack was too close to the light..it wasn't originally but the lizard grew.... I now am more careful about not letting it get much above 130F surface temp. I never have used bulbs above 60 watt for my monitors either.

...but I did use a bulb that concentrates the heat its sort of a spot light bulb which may have been the culprit. I'm still experimenting with that. For now I am not using them.

I just got my new basking spot set up, and to achieve 130 temps, the bulbs are 6 to 8 inches from the basking spot. At what distance is the lights considered to be too close?

>>I just got my new basking spot set up, and to achieve 130 >>temps, the bulbs are 6 to 8 inches from the basking spot. At
>>what distance is the lights considered to be too close?

Put your hand on the basking spot after the bulbs have been shining on it for a while. Can you hold your hand there without it getting painfully hot? If so, it's not too close.

Luke

I think it is important to remember, these reptiles arn't stupid. Once you realize that...you will be good to go.

Cheers,
Mike.