Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi All,

Frodo is set to arrive today and I am just putting the finishing touches on his enclosure. My temps are perfect, I have 115F in the basking spot, with a 100f background temp, and on the cool end it is in the high 80's-low 90's. My question is, can I use sandstone as a basking rock?? I have read that terracotta and slate can be used, but I happened upon a beautiful piece of sandstone which seems perfect. It would be nice to know this, so his rock will be nice and warm by the time he gets here.

I appreciate all the help

Only a few hours to go...

Leyla x

Natural sandstone is fine for use as a basking stone. Darker, more dense stones will get hotter and retain heat better. The only "stone" I advise against is composite construction materials, including quarry tiles, cinderblocks and bricks... that is unless you are able to accurately access the lead risk.

My uros defecate on their basking stones. I use slate stones which I clean & sterilize in my dishwasher. Sandstone is softer, more porous and brittle, so you would have to use another cleaning method (such as scrubbing with a plastic bristled brush, then disinfecting in diluted bleach).

You should thoroughly clean and sterlize the stones before introducing to your enclosure.

Be sure to secure the stones so that they can't be shifted while your uro is digging.

Congratulations on your new uro.

--benedita

Especially the issue with the cinder blocks and bricks! That's a whole other "archived" issue that I had going. To keep it short, no bricks, cinder blocks, or man-made building materials that may have concrete and/or mortor in them.
-----


2.1 - Rocky, Runako, and RoxyIII (my care sheets)