Dont use hot rocks..please?

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Posted by TL on August 20, 1999 at 19:20:10:

This is for all the new iguana owners out there who read the forums but maybe are a little too shy to post.

DONT USE A HOT ROCK!!

No matter who tells you to use a hot rock,dont use a hot rock.If an alien shows up from another planet and tells you to use a hot rock,dont use a hot rock.Dont ever use a hot rock.

Hot rocks continue to sell and continue to be recommended by pet shops and even,dare I say,some so-called experts.Dont use a hot rock.

Hot rocks are terrible for a number of reasons.Many of them simply get too hot.Hot enough to burn an animal.Also the heat is very rarely evenly distributed.So what you get is a rock with most of its surface area at 90 degrees or so and one small portion that is so hot you cant keep your hand on it.Also iguanas and many other lizards get their heat from basking in the sun.Not by laying on hot rocks.An overhead heat source better simulates what they would do in the wild.If you need additional heating,get a heat pad hooked up to a rheostat or dimmer switch.Check the temperature BEFORE installing in or under the animals enclosure.Dont use a hot rock.

The iguana I recently adopted has thermal burns and Id bet the farm its from a hot rock.Im also ashamed to admit,that in my youth before I knew any better,I burned a few lizards myself with hot rocks.This was 20 years ago when there was a pitiful amount of information and supplies.No excuse I know,but if someone can learn from my mistakes then so be it.

Ive read all the stuff about hot rocks.About how they are safe if used as a secondary heat source and how burns only result from an animal that is kept in a cold environment.Ive heard abour burying them in the substrate and placing a piece if slate on top of them to diffuse the heat.One could argue that the same way you can hook up a rheostat to a heating pad,you could hook one up to a hot rock.Usually doesnt work and you still have the problem of hot spots.Plus,and this is not scientific at all just my own observations,it just seems unnatural to see a lizard trying to fit its body on the surface of a hot rock to get warm.They look very uncomfortable compared to a lizard enjoying a heat lamp on a perch or a lizard sprawled out resting over a heating pad.And yes there have been people who have kept lizards for years with hot rocks and have had no problems.There have also been a lot who have either severely burned or killed lizards with these dubious devices.I ask you,why take the chance?Dont use hot rocks.

Im sorry to rant.Skinnys post inspired me.Ive just seen soooooooooo many accident with soooooooo many lizards I cant stand it anymore!Hot rocks had there time when there was nothing else and no one knew anything.They are outdated,potentially harmful pieces of equipment.Lets put it this way,20 years ago 2 fried eggs,some bacon,toast with butter and a big glass of full fat milk was considered a healthy breakfast!Times they are a'changin.

Thank you...pant pant pant..Im done now.

Dont use hot rocks..and eat your bran!Its good for you.

Follow Ups:

Re: Dont use hot rocks..please? Skinny_Minkis (Mark) 8/21/99 (0)
Re: Dont use hot rocks..please? suzi 8/20/99 (1)
- Yikes! TL 8/21/99 (0)
I don't understand LOL NP Iguana03 8/20/99 (1)
- My fault..I was a little vague...;) TL 8/20/99 (0)
hummmmm I wonder if I should use a hot rock?!!!!! LOL n/m Harry's Dad 8/20/99 (1)
- Do I have to spell it out for you??? ..hehehehe N/P TL 8/20/99 (0)

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: This is for all the new iguana owners out there who read the forums but maybe are a little too shy to post. : DONT USE A HOT ROCK!! : No matter who tells you to use a hot rock,dont use a hot rock.If an alien shows up from another planet and tells you to use a hot rock,dont use a hot rock.Dont ever use a hot rock. : Hot rocks continue to sell and continue to be recommended by pet shops and even,dare I say,some so-called experts.Dont use a hot rock. : Hot rocks are terrible for a number of reasons.Many of them simply get too hot.Hot enough to burn an animal.Also the heat is very rarely evenly distributed.So what you get is a rock with most of its surface area at 90 degrees or so and one small portion that is so hot you cant keep your hand on it.Also iguanas and many other lizards get their heat from basking in the sun.Not by laying on hot rocks.An overhead heat source better simulates what they would do in the wild.If you need additional heating,get a heat pad hooked up to a rheostat or dimmer switch.Check the temperature BEFORE installing in or under the animals enclosure.Dont use a hot rock. : The iguana I recently adopted has thermal burns and Id bet the farm its from a hot rock.Im also ashamed to admit,that in my youth before I knew any better,I burned a few lizards myself with hot rocks.This was 20 years ago when there was a pitiful amount of information and supplies.No excuse I know,but if someone can learn from my mistakes then so be it. : Ive read all the stuff about hot rocks.About how they are safe if used as a secondary heat source and how burns only result from an animal that is kept in a cold environment.Ive heard abour burying them in the substrate and placing a piece if slate on top of them to diffuse the heat.One could argue that the same way you can hook up a rheostat to a heating pad,you could hook one up to a hot rock.Usually doesnt work and you still have the problem of hot spots.Plus,and this is not scientific at all just my own observations,it just seems unnatural to see a lizard trying to fit its body on the surface of a hot rock to get warm.They look very uncomfortable compared to a lizard enjoying a heat lamp on a perch or a lizard sprawled out resting over a heating pad.And yes there have been people who have kept lizards for years with hot rocks and have had no problems.There have also been a lot who have either severely burned or killed lizards with these dubious devices.I ask you,why take the chance?Dont use hot rocks. : Im sorry to rant.Skinnys post inspired me.Ive just seen soooooooooo many accident with soooooooo many lizards I cant stand it anymore!Hot rocks had there time when there was nothing else and no one knew anything.They are outdated,potentially harmful pieces of equipment.Lets put it this way,20 years ago 2 fried eggs,some bacon,toast with butter and a big glass of full fat milk was considered a healthy breakfast!Times they are a'changin. : Thank you...pant pant pant..Im done now. : Dont use hot rocks..and eat your bran!Its good for you.

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