Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi!! I have been a lizard owner for about 10 years now, and have really had to learn a lot on my own through trial and error about lizards. I have had a water dragon (who lived to be almost ten) and currently have a 7 year old Beardie.

I see a lot of references to different heating methods - under tank, heat tape, heat pads, etc... but I use a product that I actually bought from my exotics vet. She actually uses the same product to heat her animals safely during long surgical procedures!!

It is called an SI thermal pad and is enclosed in thermoplastic. I am going to be getting a rescued iguana in a few days and went to the website for SI thermal pads (did a search under yahoo.com) and bought one there. They are not cheap - mine was 110.00 - but these items are INCREDIBLE. I have had the one in my Beardie's cage for about 4 years now and it is amazing. It turns itself on and off to regulate itself (you don't have to buy any regulators like with the Kane systems) and will NOT develop hotspots.

This product is SO worth the money and I recommend it to everyone. I think it also has a lifetime warranty!!!

Buy one for your babies. You won't be sorry and will never have to worry about burnt tummies or roasted animals - my Beardie loves his!!!!!

Love,
Melissa
sweetgirl_2121@yahoo.com

Gosh, and I've been using these stupid $5 lightbulbs...
-----
Peter: It's OK, I'll handle it. I read a book about something like this.
Brian: Are you sure it was a book? Are you sure it wasn't NOTHING?

Guys.......

I have gotten a few responses to my email that make me worry.... *L*

Listen... the heating pad that I am talking about is NOT intended to replace your lights... they are important too, just as much so!!!!

Especially being careful about the wattage of your bulbs - its easy to get sucked into the trap of "well the 100watt costs the same as the 60 and 75 so I'll buy it".... I have a HUGE cage for my beardie (4Lx4Wx5T) and I would STILL never use a 100 watt bulb. They are so dangerous and you would die if you heard some of the stories of beardies being come home to literally baked... their eyes cracked, etc. BE CAREFUL with your lighting... please!!

I have a 24" strip light with the desert sun bulb, a corner basking spotlight that is 60 watts, a curly vitalight pointing toward the same corner but from the back, and the heat pad in the bottom on one side. My lizard has lots of options this way... but I still put him in a screened window with the glass raised at least 4 times a week to get some natural sun too!

This heat pad is good for raising the ambient air in the cage as well as giving your lizard a place to rest on to warm himself - SAFELY. We all know the dangers of heat rocks, caves, vines, heating pads etc... and this pad is simply the best and safest on the market.

Thats all I wanted to share, really..... be good to your beardies and anyone feel free to write me, I'll try to help - I've learned a lot through exerience and hope to be able to share it.

Melissa
sweetgirl_2121@yahoo.com