Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the average temp. for a heat mat.

What is the average temp. for a heat rock.

the average temp varies... probably around 80F - 84F, but can fluctuate depending on the company that makes them and whether you have a thermostat or not. i'm getting one tomorrow coz the winter is creeping up and i don't want my leo to get sick.

also, don't use a heat rock coz it can burn your leos hands... so if you already have one - remove it immediately and either return it, sell it, or give it to someone coz it's not suitable for leopard geckos.

[aimEe]
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0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Marlene)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
1.0.0 Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)
aimee.i8.com

I have a heat rock but I cover it up with 3/4 of an inch of sand.

>>I have a heat rock but I cover it up with 3/4 of an inch of sand.

Have you checked the temps? I'm pretty sure most hot rocks will get hot spots that go over 100F. Your gecko can come in contact with the surface and do itself some damage. Reptiles don't have a good sense of what's TOO hot, so they end up burning themselves laying on the hot rock they thought felt good.

Why don't you get a human heating pad from the local WalMart or drugstore for about $10-15 and put it under the warm end of your enclosure? They're much safer.
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Rob Jenkins
Have you seen the GeckoCam?
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The difference is, heat rocks get REALLY hot... too hot for leos that it burns them no matter, unlike the under tank heaters. Even if there is sand, they can still get effected... Also, your leo can become impacted with sand, especially if they aren't adults yet. Although it may seem like it's doing alright, he can accidentally become impacted in many ways. #1) if they're eating, they'll go for a dive and take in a mouthful (especially if they eat or the cricket kicks up sand), #2) if they don't have enough calcium, they start licking the sand for some, #3) if they're exploring becomes intense, they'll start licking while they walk and will take sand in that way... The safest substrates are paper towels, slate, and tiles.

Take care and good luck with your leo~

[aimEe]
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0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Marlene)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
1.0.0 Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)
aimee.i8.com

I have been keeping the geckos on T-rex calcium sand for 5 years. Also when feeding them, i feed them mealies on a dish, and hand feed them crickets.

As for the heat rock, the temperature is in the 90s at the hottest spot. At night, my house temperatures go into the 65s. My last heat mat is used for my hatchling gecko, but I'm going to by a heat mat next week, but I know that some heat mats have high temp. also.

1.1.1 leos.
1. white's tree frog
2.1 fire bellied toads
0.0.2 red ear sliders
many fish

that's good that you're keeping an eye on your temps. wow that's kinda cold in your house..if it dropped to that, i'd have my heater on my house temps are around 74F. also, sometimes calcium sand can cause impaction - but i'm glad it hasn't caused it in your leos! if you've had your leos for 5 years.. then it should be a little safer than compared to a young age. i'm excited for my leo to turn 5 yrs she's still 6 months. i also think it's cool that you hand feed! i don't plan to coz when my leo eats, you see some juices squirt out N i dont plan to have that on me

and i also like your signature of "MANY FISH" that hella made me laugh

[aimEe]
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0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Marlene)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
1.0.0 Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)
aimee.i8.com

The average heat on my heat pad is 90 degrees farenheit, so it does not vary between 80-84. I would probably say that its 80-90.

yah probably 85F - 90F... mine doesn't get too hot, i guess it might help if i had a thermostat don't worry! im getting one on ebay ^_^

[aimEe]
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0.1.0 Albino Leopard Gecko (Marlene)
0.0.2 Fire Bellied Toads (Norman & Forman)
1.0.0 Fighting Fish (Blue Balls)
1.0.0 Black Lab / Pit Bull (Mikey)
aimee.i8.com

lol! I measured my surface of the glass above the heat mat to a temperature of around 90 which amazed me. It is perfect to use for a leopard gecko but things that require heat mats like horned frogs, don't like that much heat. So without a rhestat to adjust your temp - your screwed.