Heat Rocks

[h2simms]

You can use Heat rock because in the wild they are on a rock that sits in the sun ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL Day and that has to be hotter than a heat Rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

Hello,

I understand what you are saying and it does make sense. At the same time though I want you to imagine this. You have a rock sitting in the sun...beardie walks up and lays on it...the rock is no longer getting direct sunlight(the beardie is). If the rock is no longer getting direct sunlight it gradually starts to cool down. The rock is not staying a consistant temperature, unlike a heat rock that stays the same
temperature, which your beardie knows no better to get off of due to them not sensing heat with their bellies.

Dawn

 

[h2simms]

I ask my uncle that owens a pet store and he said I have carried bearded dragon for years and nothing has hapend

 

[peera]

And maybe your uncle hasn't, but this is like the calci-sand arguement. Just because something hasn't happened to you, yet doesn't change the fact that it could in the future, and already has to literally thousands of people, not even just to bearded dragons but many different reptiles. And nothing personal to your uncle, but if he's anything like the majority of pet shop owners, he's probably not taking them out and examining them for burns because he already thinks he knows it all.

Honestly, even if nothing happens, I just don't see the point since it's not doing anything but running up your electric bill.

 

[XxXAceXxX]

What about those heat rocks that have the special coils in them, so it doesn't develop hot spots. Cause I have been using one for a few months now and nothing, but my dragon only uses it after feeding.

 

[LJean]

There have been many cases of the heat rocks malfunctioning or some such. Lots of snakes and other reptiles get burned on them.

 

[gulfbrzdawn]

I am happy that your Uncle has never had a reptile burned by a heating device, but it does happen .Here is a link to a picture of a captive lizard with a thermal burn. These burns are caused by heat rocks,heat pads,undertank heaters,etc...Be forewarned, it is not a pretty sight. Take a good long look at the picture and tell me it's worth it to have an under belly heating device of any kind.
GRAPHIC PICTURE, BEWARE
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1401894926034348297OeBjqi

Dawn

 

[h2simms]

Heat rocks are awsome i use them and they sit on them all day and I monitor them and they like it!!!!

 

[andymkthxlol]

Easy there killer. People who post here are incredibly knowledgeable about reptiles, specifically bearded dragons, and I can guarantee you they know more than you may lead yourself to think.

The people who post here do so to create a wide variety of background knowledge from first hand experience. Then, as a community, we all build upon that knowledge and experience to ultimately find out what is good and bad for beardies. The wealth of knowledge concerning bearded dragons on this website alone is something you cannot compare to anything, especially a pet store owner/salesman. As far as I'm concerned, if only 1/100 beardies gets injured and or killed from heat rocks, then that is enough to classify them as dangerous to beardies, just like calci-sand. Why would you want to risk an animals health like that? The pictures state the facts. A pet store owner can also be very biased to make a buck since they are essentially salesmen in almost all cases.

 

[AndyAMP88]

My uncle knows alot more than you stupid people on the internet spreading you retarted review of your apinions not other people so go to your local pet store and belive them "Its not watch you see is what you get". :!:

Please be respectful. We are trying to help you and many others take care of their beloved animals. There is no reason for you to be insulting someone you don't even know. Just keep that in mind please.
By the way, before you go insulting someone in the future, make sure you sound intelligent yourself. It's "opinions" not "apinions", and I won't point out the rest. Have a good day. :wink:

 

[VinceC]

I am happy that your Uncle has never had a reptile burned by a heating device, but it does happen .Here is a link to a picture of a captive lizard with a thermal burn. These burns are caused by heat rocks,heat pads,undertank heaters,etc...Be forewarned, it is not a pretty sight. Take a good long look at the picture and tell me it's worth it to have an under belly heating device of any kind.
GRAPHIC PICTURE, BEWARE
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1401894926034348297OeBjqi

Dawn

Oh god that's horrible, poor things cant even feel themselves cooking . totally not worth the risk :evil:

 

[zebraflavencs]

The only way I would use a heat rock is with the cord completely removed. They are easy to clean, and have a nice appearance for decor in a viv. That said, I'll just pop back into the shadows.
Janie.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Just a reminder H2simms, that we need to respectfully post on this forum. Personal attacks are not allowed anywhere on this forum.
We are all here to learn & help each other out with the care of our reptiles.
Please refrain from anymore personal attacks.

Thank you.

Tracie

 

[cautiontapeman]

i see what your saying about the heat rock and ive heard many things about them being bad. but remember is like you stepping on a road it sits in the sun all day then you stand on it it slowly becomes cooler under your feet and therefor it doesnt burn you anymore. same goes with the beardie, also it runs up your electric bill and with the needed lights for your beardie i imagine the heat rock just uses up more electricity. so its safe just not to use them seeing as beardies are kinda expensive when it comes to feeding alone.

 

[VenomPrx]

The issues with Hot rocks stem from the very manner in which they are designed. yes, reptiles do use belly heat and it plays a very important role in digestion. the issue stems from their basking behavior. in the wild, they head out to exposed outcroppings where the source of heat radiates from the sun downwards. this is also the reason why under tank heaters don't work well for diurnal lizards. that's how they are programmed to measure their exposure-from above. hot rocks not only are largely unpredictable, they don't provide heat that heats up the entire terrarium. the greatest problem is lack of choices. in a properly heated cage, a dragon has access to a range of temperatures to bask at, just by varying its position away or closer to the radiant heat source (in this case, a light bulb). this lets the animal choose. in an enclosure where the only source of heat is a hot rock (as most of the time it is) they are forced to choose between cold and hot. cold may be too cold, and hot may be too hot or not hot enough. the chance of malfunction is the greatest danger however, and as the other poster has shown, the results are often very gruesome. at a more basic level, a light bulb and a normal flat rock are a much cheaper than purchasing a 30-40 dollar hot rock. it just doesn't pay.