A stone under the heatspot

Hanako · 25-04-2013, 04:33 PM

Until now my tortoises had a basking spot, but there was no stone there, just the bedding. Since coming to this forum I think I read somewhere (or saw it on pictures) that people were putting a stone under the basking spot. So I went and got some slate tiles, had my husband to cut it into the right size and placed it under the basking spot so that they have 'a stone' to lay on. About half an hour later I touched the slate and it was really, really hot. Surely a tortoise would not want to sit on that; she would burn herself. So I am wondering how do you do it with the basking spot. Do you put there some stone? And which one? I assume some that doesn't get so hot?

wigwamman · 25-04-2013, 07:07 PM

you should have asked the question first,you would have then saved some money and saved your hubby some time.
use the slate to feed from instead!!!!

Hanako · 25-04-2013, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wigwamman

you should have asked the question first,you would have then saved some money and saved your hubby some time.
use the slate to feed from instead!!!!

No, these are slate from someone's roof. We saw them down the road in a skip, so we asked and took a few...

I will use the slate instead of feeding dish then. Thank you for your advice.

Suze65 · 25-04-2013, 07:12 PM

A stone or slate under the basking light is not necessary , it can get too hot and burn the tort, mine like to bury themselves into the warm substrate under the basking light at night time ( after it's switched off)

Lisamn · 25-04-2013, 08:17 PM

I have both stones and slate AROUND the basking split, but not directly under it. My torts like to rest their heads on them when basking and the dig behind or under them at night.

Catwoman63 · 26-04-2013, 08:42 AM

i have had slates under the basking lamps with no problems, as mine tend to bask to the side of the basking lamp, however i did remove them and just have rocks around the basking area x

**Alan1** · 26-04-2013, 11:50 AM

I once measured the temperature of a slate outside in the sun with an infrared thermometer and it was over 60c, they just want a nice 30c - 35c on their back for comfort

Hanako · 26-04-2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan1

I once measured the temperature of a slate outside in the sun with an infrared thermometer and it was over 60c, they just want a nice 30c - 35c on their back for comfort

I am not surprised. I touched it and it and couldn't keep my hand on it! So I removed it and they have the chalk bits and food on the slate.

sandy · 27-04-2013, 05:08 PM

If you use the thin roof tile type slate, your tortoises will cook.
You need the inch thick type, which I have used for over 20yrs with no problems. It does get warm, but not hot.
Hatchlings love to hide under the thicker slate.

Hanako · 27-04-2013, 05:55 PM

Yes, you are right, I do have the thin roof type of slate. But it is not a problem any more. I left one piece near the basking spot, not directly under it but near enough that it is pleasantly warm, and another one I put near the feeding bowl and put the white chalk bits on it. Good job that I noticed how hot the slate was getting when it was under the lamp! I could have accidentally baked my darlings!

25-04-2013, 04:33 PM	#1
Hanako Member Hatchling Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 690	A stone under the heatspot Until now my tortoises had a basking spot, but there was no stone there, just the bedding. Since coming to this forum I think I read somewhere (or saw it on pictures) that people were putting a stone under the basking spot. So I went and got some slate tiles, had my husband to cut it into the right size and placed it under the basking spot so that they have 'a stone' to lay on. About half an hour later I touched the slate and it was really, really hot. Surely a tortoise would not want to sit on that; she would burn herself. So I am wondering how do you do it with the basking spot. Do you put there some stone? And which one? I assume some that doesn't get so hot? Last edited by Hanako; 25-04-2013 at 04:47 PM.

25-04-2013, 07:12 PM	#4
Suze65 Senior Member Adult Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wiltshire Posts: 6,769	A stone or slate under the basking light is not necessary , it can get too hot and burn the tort, mine like to bury themselves into the warm substrate under the basking light at night time ( after it's switched off) __________________ Suze. 3 THB, Sammy, Jemima, & Phoebe 7 Marginated, Tabitha, Ptolome, Tatiana, Noah,Lottey, Lulu & Poppy 1 TGG (Emma) RIP Feb 2012

26-04-2013, 08:42 AM	#6
Catwoman63 Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South East England Posts: 6,739	i have had slates under the basking lamps with no problems, as mine tend to bask to the side of the basking lamp, however i did remove them and just have rocks around the basking area x __________________ BEV XXX 0.3.0 - T Horsfieldii (Xena, Zelda & Lilly) 2.2.0 - TG Terrestris (Zeus, Astreus / Zagreus & Alexia) 1.2.0 - Zebra Finches (Gunner / Bonnie & May) 0.1.0 - SBT (Hazel) 1.0.0 - FBD (Ted)

27-04-2013, 05:08 PM	#9
sandy Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 12,146	If you use the thin roof tile type slate, your tortoises will cook. You need the inch thick type, which I have used for over 20yrs with no problems. It does get warm, but not hot. Hatchlings love to hide under the thicker slate. __________________ < > 60+, keeping ibera, graeca and box turtles \0/ /_\ http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/tortoisefriends

25-04-2013, 07:07 PM	#2
wigwamman Member Juvenile Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: west midlands Posts: 800	you should have asked the question first,you would have then saved some money and saved your hubby some time. use the slate to feed from instead!!!!

25-04-2013, 08:17 PM	#5
Lisamn Member Hatchling Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 530	I have both stones and slate AROUND the basking split, but not directly under it. My torts like to rest their heads on them when basking and the dig behind or under them at night.

26-04-2013, 11:50 AM	#7
Alan1 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sunny Scotland Posts: 21,512	I once measured the temperature of a slate outside in the sun with an infrared thermometer and it was over 60c, they just want a nice 30c - 35c on their back for comfort

27-04-2013, 05:55 PM	#10
Hanako Member Hatchling Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 690	Yes, you are right, I do have the thin roof type of slate. But it is not a problem any more. I left one piece near the basking spot, not directly under it but near enough that it is pleasantly warm, and another one I put near the feeding bowl and put the white chalk bits on it. Good job that I noticed how hot the slate was getting when it was under the lamp! I could have accidentally baked my darlings!

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