Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,
I'm currently working in a pet store which carries a variety of heat rocks - none of which have any kind of elaborate temp control.
I personally worry, having heard about snakes and lizards being horribly burned from these devices. The opinion of one person, however, is not enough to sway any of the corporate folk that we shouldn't carry them. Maybe I'm over-reacting anyway.. that's why I'd like to hear from as many of you as possible. I've always used Under tank heaters for my reptiles at home and I recommend them to customers who come in and need to purchase heaters. I'm not there all of the time however, and the other associates at the store will recommend the rocks to anyone regardless of the type of pet they own, the size of the tank or the existing heat source.
I'd really like to know A) that they are safe after all and I'm just being silly or B) that nobody thinks they're a good idea and I can print your responses, hand them to the people in corporate and try to save some animals from a fate worse than death.
Thank you to all who reply,
Brooke

Brooke wote:

>>Hi there,

Hi, Brooke!

>>I'm currently working in a pet store which carries a variety of heat rocks - none of which have any kind of elaborate temp control.

Ah, a brave soul. A pet store employee who comes online and
indentifies themselves as such. Really, there are some pet
store employees who know a good amount about reps. Its just
there are clearly a number who do not. Nice to have you here,
Brooke. You sound like a person who cares about the work you
do as well as for the animals. Thank you.

>>I personally worry, having heard about snakes and lizards being horribly burned from these devices. The opinion of one person, however, is not enough to sway any of the corporate folk that we shouldn't carry them. Maybe I'm over-reacting anyway.. that's why I'd like to hear from as many of you as possible.

I'm relatively new to keeping reptiles, but I've heard and
read a number of times from different people with experience
caring for reptiles in captivity, all of whom did NOT know
each other, that "Heat rocks" are a definite BAD thing for
reptiles in captivity. I think you already know that, but it's
very smart of you to ask around to see what, if anything,
anyone might have to say who thinks they are good for reptiles
in captivity.

I've always used Under tank heaters for my reptiles at home and I recommend them to customers who come in and need to purchase heaters. I'm not there all of the time however, and the other associates at the store will recommend the rocks to anyone regardless of the type of pet they own, the size of the tank or the existing heat source.

Again, I agree with you. I gather pet stores don't provide
very much in the way of training their on the floor people
about one of the (main) product products they sell, living,
breathing reptiles.
The thing I also think about "Heat rocks" aside from the
horror stories I've heard about them burning the animals is
that they are not going to heat much of an area in the tank
that will be warm enough for a reptile who is wanting to warm
itself up. If it wants to warm itself up it's going to be
restricted to sitting on or very near that "Heat rock". Now
with an "Under the tank heater" one could provide a wider
area in the tank that will be warmer and the animal will
therefore have a much wider area to select where it wants
to get warm in the tank.
Depending on the heating requirements of the reptile in
question one could heat the entire bottom of the tank or
maybe just a section of it.
With a "Heat rock" for the animal it must be like it is for
us when we are out in the middle of the water on a small
rowboat. We're okay as long as we stay inside the little
rowboat, but if we leave the little rowboat when we're in
it out in the middle of the water.. well we get wet. See my
point?

>>I'd really like to know A) that they are safe after all and I'm just being silly or B) that nobody thinks they're a good idea and I can print your responses, hand them to the people in corporate and try to save some animals from a fate worse than death.

I don't think they are intenionally made to be unsafe, but
there are quite a few people, myself included, who when we
first start out don't know a whole lot and are likely to
make a "few mistakes". And of course sometimes (how many I
don't honestly know) newbies may be led to believe that a
"Heat rock" is good for their reptile when in fact their
particular species of reptile doesn't get its warmth from
the earth's surface, but from above, the sun (i.e. "basking".
I don't know about changing anyone in corporate. I think
you're not likely to get very far (depending on your employer)
and you may just bring heat down on yourself and then where
will the reptiles being sold to newbies in the place where
you work be? I *think* the best you can try to do is maybe
what you're doing right now. Sharing and participating with
people online on how to care for reptiles in captivity. Maybe
you could use your computer to write up some Care Sheets on
various reptiles that they sell where you work and if your
employer allows it they could be given to anyone who comes
in considering buying a reptile or to anyone who comes in
and buys one. Careful though, Brooke. Don't openly criticize
any of the products they sell where you work ("Heat rocks,
etc...). Simply offer the reader a carefully worded choice
on how they would want to provide heat for their reptile and
then let them decide. Well, once again I've written off a
much too-long reply. That's me. Anyway, I hope I've at least
given you some things to help you better think it all out.
Peace.
Lizard~King

I actually lost a job at a pet store a few years back because of this problem and others...
-----

www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies

Hot rocks are simply not an appropriate way to provide heat for reptiles. They require the animal to sit on the rock to warm up, and they do not heat the air in the cage itself. This can lead to health problems (breathing cold air, steep and frequent body temperature changes), and certainly inteferes with the reptile's normal behavior.

In addition, hot rock safety is questionable. Even the newer type, touted to be safer, may fail unexpectedly at any time, and are particularly prone to do so after a few years of use. If the rock simply stopped working, it would not be so bad--instead, they sometimes overheat, which can burn or kill a reptile--reptiles don't sense heat with their belly very well, and may not move until it's too late. This has killed many reptiles in the past. The rocks may also be a fire hazard, and the company itself recommends that they not be used in dampness, or with any reptile that can cover most or all of the rock. Unfortunately, these directions aren't always on the package--the package may even depict reptile species that the rocks are allegedly not intended for.

Hot rocks are cheap...which means that uninformed buyers are likely to pick them up in favor of other more appropriate heating sources. An overhead heat lamp or an undertank heater with a rheostat are appropriate ways to heat a reptile cage and keep the animals safe and healthy. Why not offer the correct heating method to pet store shoppers, and forgo the dangerous, cheap method? The pet store makes more money selling people the RIGHT equipment. They aren't going to go somewhere else to buy a hot rock--particularly if you post an explanation as to why you don't carry hot rocks.

Howdie... time to play the advocate.

It is very good for you to be concerned. People are too complacent in today's times.

Whilst many valid points have been made, i feel there are a few others...

As you would know, there are many different makes/models/brands of heat mats and heat rocks. I believe the price has a big influence on quality. The exo-terra heat rocks are thermostatically controlled, and completely sealed. Reptiles are sensitive to heat in a different way than us. That is, what feels only mildly lukewarm to us, is easily adequate for a reptile.

I paid over $120 dollars for my rock, (albeit that is Australian dollars), which, nowadays, is approx $US100. It never overheats, and, to me, doesn't even feel warm. But, when my snakes go down the cool end of their enclosure, they often coil up on it. This means that there is no fear of one accidentally spending too much time in the cool end, leaving itself unable to return to the warm end.

I did have the advantage of completely setting up my enclosure before buying the snakes. Most people will buy an enclosure, buy a reptile, take it home, and then worry about getting temperature gradients right, locating a food source, a herpetological vet, etc. So, i placed my heat rock in the enclosure and left it a week to ensure it never got too hot.

To conclude, heat rocks are fine providing they are appropriate. I believe there is a higher risk of fire from a heat mat, as they are often inadequately installed.

Quite simply, People need to do more research FOR THEMSELVES before purchasing any animal. Whilst this generalisation obviously discludes you (as you have shown sufficient sincerety and concern), most pet store employees will say anything for a sale. It is not up to you to advise people in every way as to what heat their reptile needs.

Next time, tell an ignorant customer to buy a book, get on the net, read the caresheets. Otherwise, the ill-fated end you mentioned in your post will be all to near for many a poor, reptile.

Just my 2 cents. Take it or leave it

Cheers

If you contact the manufacturer directly, however, you will learn that the hot rocks are not recommended for use with snakes.

I got one from a pet store about 15 years back. (privately owned, not a "pet superstore)

The owner was very good with reptiles and when I bought it he told me they were extremely variable in temperature. I picked out the one I wanted and he plugged it in and left it run overnight. When he opened up the next day, he checked it and found it to be acceptable. I picked it up the next day and have used it off and on for the last 15 years without incident.

I think they can be used safely and effectively IF you know what to look for.

Mark Blanchard