(I thought about putting this in the Enclosure section, but that seemed for questions and talking about the enclosure as a whole. If admins want to move this there, that is okay!)
I've always been on the lookout for the best cave/basking combo item, and I actually found one days ago at Petsmart and I want to share with you all
Here's a pic I just took, after Eren had eaten and was basking. For size reference, he is 2 years old and his tank is a 40gal.
I was worried about it being too big to fit in the enclosure, but it fits perfectly. It is nice and large with a relatively level surface, great for basking. The cave itself and the entrance are also large. This is probably the first cave I've seen in stores that is an appropriate size for adult (and juvenile) beardies. The fake wood/rock textures are not sharp.
This is exactly what I have been looking for. What temps do your tiles reach under the basking light (75w 100w?) I use carpet now, but really want to switch for cleaning purposes.
This is exactly what I have been looking for. What temps do your tiles reach under the basking light (75w 100w?) I use carpet now, but really want to switch for cleaning purposes.
I'm not sure since my current temp reader in there is either broken or needs new batteries (and I'm out of state), and the cave covers the basking area. I don't remember but I think I use a 100w.
However I don't think they get burning hot. I definitely recommend slate tile 100%. I've used paper towel, news paper and the reptile carpet and the tile is by far the best and easiest to clean.
That looks like a perfect cave/basking combo for a beardie!! I haven't seen one in our Petsmart yet, but sure will be on the look out for one. May I ask about the cost?
Most hides I have seen have an opening too small for a full size adult Beardie. (especially if he is on the larger side) The basking spot "rocks" are often too small for Dez to really stretch out on, or they are not wide enough at bottom to provide good stability. Having a separate cave and basking rock takes up alot of space! I really like this!
One thing I have noticed that might be worth mentioning: the artifical rocks made of that hard plastic can get a bit hot under the basking light. Dez was not using his, until one day I placed my hand on it, and felt how warm It was--not enought to burn, but uncomfortable to my hand. I figured it would be even more uncomfortable for a soft, tender Beardie belly. I covered it with some rubber waffle like material made to place under rugs, and Dezi immediately started using it! (It is not as big as it needs to be; his entire tail hangs off, and it just barely fits his body)
Thank you for sharing such a nifty cave/Basking combo!
My big girl Rex (now 3.5 yrs old) and her brother Puff (rip Dec2015) had resin fake log hides most their lives (I upsized to JUMBO HUBBAHUTs in October2015 as they were both too big to comfortably curl up or turn around inside their old hides (didn't stop them from trying (and sometimes giving us a fright when they looked stuck while trying turnabout under them).
Very durable and relatively easy to clean, just don't drop them on hard surfaces, they can break as they seem to / become brittle (after years of intense UV exposure).
My little ones Peppa and Toothless recently outgrew their SMALL HUBBAHUTs and now have Rex and Puff's old acrylic fake log hides and love them.
This is Peppa and Toothless's hides http://www.reptiledirect.com.au/p/297/GLG-119-Half-Log-Hide-29cm.html , small for a full grown beardie, but great for a hatchling or juvenile beardie.