Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have slate rock in my basking sites which gets very hot as it obsorbs from the heat lamp.I would assume this happens in their natural habitat.But could this underside heating be potentially dangerous?-Mike

I have slate too. If it's too hot, they do the foot dance, lift their bellys off of it, and their tails as well. They won't burn. To be honest with you, I don't see how heat rocks would be bad, but everyone says they are, and many have had horrible deathly experiences, so I'd just take their word for it.

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Mark Martinez
University of Florida

n/p

i agree, i know some people that have had bad experiences with heat rocks, like coming home to find that your lizard has cooked itself on it, i would stay away from them at all costs, you can get a simple halogen bulb that provides more than enought heat and a fixture usually for under 20 bucks if cost is an obstacle
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1 mali uro - oni
2 bearded dragons- Trogdor "the burninator",Strom

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Mark Martinez
University of Florida

Slate does hold heat, and sometimes they just love laying there on it.

Just like with anything, later in the day when it gets essessively warm, they retreat awhile on to the cool end.

I use it for Uros, desert iggy, collareds, chuckwalla.

I also use a slate slab on bricks for a den for some like my BTS.

I love slate, scrubs clean, is solid- sturdy and provides for a large basking area, if ya use a big slab !

Eve

I can't seem to find slate! Where would you suggest I look? I've tried the Lowe's/Home Depots, but they have cement or these weird rocks with heavy mica (I think) that flake really badly - seemed like a bad idea for keeping reptiles on.

Suggestions?

Thanks!
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Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras
0.0.1 Mystery Oto
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

That's where I bought my slate rock. It should be with other various rocks in the aquarium and fish section.

Hope this helps
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1 Mali Uromastyx named Ra

I looked at the place where I bought my fishies, but they only had cast resin stuff. That's a good idea, though - I'll look at the other stores in town! Thanks!
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Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras
0.0.1 Mystery Oto
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

They have it at the pet store in Lancaster Mall. If I remember correctly, the pieces weren't very big though... like 6" x 6".
It was in the fish section, under the tanks in a box

Thanks! Maybe I can glue together a creative pile of basking rock. I'll check it out! I don't like to go in there normally...
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Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras
0.0.1 Mystery Oto
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

I found mine at Lowe's in the tile section.
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Mark Martinez
University of Florida

They usually sell all sizes of slate for much cheaper than retail stores!!!

Beth

I know many people that had bad experiences with electric hot rocks and have even lost some uros to burns. What happens is something breaks and the hot rock becomes very hot and will easily burn your uro. However, with a light on a piece of slate a malfunction is greatly reduced.

This is true. And I also think part of the problem with hot rocks (electric) is that it's a small area that gets hot, not a whole piece of slate. When the whole slate is hot, the uro can sense that more easily - the ground is too hot, I'd better move. When it's just a small electric rock that's hot, the sensation is different (only part of the body), and they can't recognize that they're being burned.
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Torey
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras
0.0.1 Mystery Oto
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)