Heat rocks are a death sentence. If you cover them with something, you will no doubt risk starting a fire. If you bury them, they will get unburried at some point and burn your herp. Heat pads are nice, but they don't really provide the heat that most herps need.
Dorsal heat is what is most natural for these lizards. Yes, at certain times of the day (i.e. sunset), they may be found basking on surfaces that have retained some heat from the sun and recieve ventral heat, but it is not the norm. Most of the time they are basking out under the sun. The sun in oz can create some incredible surface temperatures. It would not be uncommon to find lizards basking on surfaces of 140*-almost 200*F. I would suggest going to the hardware store and investing in an outdoor, halogen light bulb (make sure it's not the type with the clear hexagon in the center as they create 'super hot spots' which can seriously injur your animals). These bulbs will only cost a couple of dollars (I would get one under 75 watts and bring the surface underneith up to it to create the proper temps) and will create the type of heat that your animal needs.
Under the bulb (s), I would just build a structure with different layers, getting closer and closer to the heat source so that the beardie has some options as far as what temps to bask under. You could build something similar to the "Retes Stacks" that Frank Retes developed for monitors. They work perfectly.
Nice pickup though. I'm sure she will be very happy in your care.
Dorsal heat is what is most natural for these lizards. Yes, at certain times of the day (i.e. sunset), they may be found basking on surfaces that have retained some heat from the sun and recieve ventral heat, but it is not the norm. Most of the time they are basking out under the sun. The sun in oz can create some incredible surface temperatures. It would not be uncommon to find lizards basking on surfaces of 140*-almost 200*F. I would suggest going to the hardware store and investing in an outdoor, halogen light bulb (make sure it's not the type with the clear hexagon in the center as they create 'super hot spots' which can seriously injur your animals). These bulbs will only cost a couple of dollars (I would get one under 75 watts and bring the surface underneith up to it to create the proper temps) and will create the type of heat that your animal needs.
Under the bulb (s), I would just build a structure with different layers, getting closer and closer to the heat source so that the beardie has some options as far as what temps to bask under. You could build something similar to the "Retes Stacks" that Frank Retes developed for monitors. They work perfectly.
Nice pickup though. I'm sure she will be very happy in your care.
