Re: The heat rocks are still a problem...

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Posted by Michelle on September 25, 2001 at 08:28:41:

In Reply to: Re: The heat rocks are still a problem... posted by Axe on September 24, 2001 at 14:56:09:

I have heat rocks, too... but they are not plugged in! I have them in JJ's enclosure to lift his basking log a little closer to the light!

I would like to make a comment, though. I have had iguanas for a long time, and of course I have made mistakes... but I hope I learn form each one to make things better for my "kids" as I go. I used to use heat rocks, because I thought it was needed. They seem fine when the lizard is small, and does not have much weight... but I had a large male once who got terrible burns even though I had a towel between him and the hot rocks! (SJ recovered nicely once the rocks were gone...)
I currently have a one year old ig who found out he could climb on top of his flourescent light fixture! I thought it was cute, and didn't worry much about it because everyone knows florescents don't get THAT hot... Well, guess what? He's now working on healing a burn on his leg. Thank goodness it is a minor one, and should heal with no problems... His light is now unplugged until I make sure he can't get up there. (he still has another one to provide UV.)

Iguana brains don't process the pain from a burn the same way we do. That's why they act like you are trying to kill them if you so much as clip the tiniest tip off a claw, but will sit on a rock (or lamp) until their skin is peeling.

We all just want the best for these guys, so please be careful with the hot rocks. If your guys are used to the belly heat, maybe you can wean them from it, they make thermostats that you can plug the heat appliance into... I used to use a human heating pad on LOW to encourage my iguanas to stay in one general area when free roaming. It's a similar idea.

: Yes, they have heat lamps above, and without the rocks there they won't eat. We take them outside to play in the sun every day for UVB.

: We took the rocks out in the past and they didn't eat for four days. This is the only way they will eat.

: Thanks for the advice though. I know you're trying to help :)

: Anyway, like I said in the other post, they're moving outside soon, so they'll have tons of natural sunlight and heat out there :)

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: I have heat rocks, too... but they are not plugged in! I have them in JJ's enclosure to lift his basking log a little closer to the light! : I would like to make a comment, though. I have had iguanas for a long time, and of course I have made mistakes... but I hope I learn form each one to make things better for my "kids" as I go. I used to use heat rocks, because I thought it was needed. They seem fine when the lizard is small, and does not have much weight... but I had a large male once who got terrible burns even though I had a towel between him and the hot rocks! (SJ recovered nicely once the rocks were gone...) : I currently have a one year old ig who found out he could climb on top of his flourescent light fixture! I thought it was cute, and didn't worry much about it because everyone knows florescents don't get THAT hot... Well, guess what? He's now working on healing a burn on his leg. Thank goodness it is a minor one, and should heal with no problems... His light is now unplugged until I make sure he can't get up there. (he still has another one to provide UV.) : Iguana brains don't process the pain from a burn the same way we do. That's why they act like you are trying to kill them if you so much as clip the tiniest tip off a claw, but will sit on a rock (or lamp) until their skin is peeling. : We all just want the best for these guys, so please be careful with the hot rocks. If your guys are used to the belly heat, maybe you can wean them from it, they make thermostats that you can plug the heat appliance into... I used to use a human heating pad on LOW to encourage my iguanas to stay in one general area when free roaming. It's a similar idea. : : : Yes, they have heat lamps above, and without the rocks there they won't eat. We take them outside to play in the sun every day for UVB. : : We took the rocks out in the past and they didn't eat for four days. This is the only way they will eat. : : Thanks for the advice though. I know you're trying to help :) : : Anyway, like I said in the other post, they're moving outside soon, so they'll have tons of natural sunlight and heat out there :)

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