New arrival

[War Machine]

Finally, after 3-4 weeks of patience with the seller, and reptile express. My new man has arrived. I'll have more pictures tonight :)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-13.jpg

[infernalis]

He looks pissed.

Congrats.

[marvelfreak]

Congrats! Look like he might try eating you.

[War Machine]

He looks pissed.

Congrats.

Anything else id be concerned about his health :P

I haven't seen him yet, I'm at work, but the wife says he's pissed, defensive and alert. Good signs.

She said he's already begun burrowing too. I'll try to feed him tonight

[Trent]

Congrats...he looks awesome!

[Will0W783]

Congrats, that's a big ol' cranky looking monitor! LOL

[infernalis]

Anything else id be concerned about his health :P


Make sure to give it a bath right after you feed it, handle it for an hour to help it get tame, then schedule a vet checkup right away to see if it has parasites.

[Pirarucu]

Make sure to give it a bath right after you feed it, handle it for an hour to help it get tame, then schedule a vet checkup right away to see if it has parasites.LOL!

Great looking monitor, can't wait to see more pictures!

[iBaman]

Make sure to give it a bath right after you feed it, handle it for an hour to help it get tame, then schedule a vet checkup right away to see if it has parasites.

o.o we need a sarcasm sign xD

[War Machine]

Wayne I died laughing at work!

Oh he is just full of joy. Quite the attitude lol I don't blame him though.

But, like all albigs, food conquers all, he took 4 worms from my tongs, then decided to play it safe, so I left a bowl of night crawlers, about 20 of em, he is getting 20+ a day to get hydration up. He is a bit skinny as well.

He took a rat on the ground too. So that's good, eating, pooped, and pissy, healthy albig.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-14.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-16.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-17.jpg

He did so much hissing, louder and more then the white throat did, I think he ran out of breathe, he was panting almost, for a minute or two. Any ideas?

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-18.jpg

More updates as he settles in!

[War Machine]

Also, he is about 1/3 the size of my white throat. Makes him look like a beast lol 5 months with the WT I've cranked 24" out of the WT. still growing too.

I cannot wait to see this guys rate on a proper diet and setup.

[War Machine]

They always sleep funny the first day home.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-19.jpg

[AjaMichelle]

He's a big 'ol cutie! :) I love that look on his face! Congratulations on your new addition and his safe arrival! :) I can't wait to see more pics and videos! :)

[Pirarucu]

More pics!

[War Machine]

I will update as we progress.

I honestly thought I had a mean white throat, havin this little guy, proves how far I've come with Parker, truly a good feeling, hot proper box, 2-3 rats a day, plus worms, I have this guy. Who is coming a long nicely.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-9.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-11.jpg

He was much smaller then this black throat when I got him. 5 months later, I've got a nice size juvi on my hands.

Stay tuned for some good progress, if not completed new monitor tank for the BT :)

[alessia55]

A big congrats! He looks great. Glad to hear he's settling in well

[moshirimon]

Beautiful!! How big is he??

[War Machine]

Head to tail, maybe 15"

[Pirarucu]

Good looking monitor!

[War Machine]

Straight to business, this hole goes right under the basking rock. I won't be seeing him for a bit lol

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-20.jpg

[infernalis]

.........Awesome!.......

[War Machine]

Yeah I'm glad to see it, he's in the middle of shed by the looks of him, he knows what to do lol

He ate 2 rats for me last night, he'll come around fast once he gets his appetite together lol

[KSTAR]

Nice One You Have There...he looks A Bit Fiesty lol

[War Machine]

I honestly don't blame him.

He is a hissy guy right now, but he's eating, basking and digging. I could care less About his attitude right now.

2-3 years from now, I'll have a relaxed 6-7' monster. He'll calm down with time. Once he realises the food comes from me :P

[promdom]

nice looking monitor. he looks like hes about to flip in that first picture!!

[Roadtrash]

I agree with Wayne, he does look pissed. Also looks healthy so things must be going right.

[War Machine]

He's showing himself more, still very hissy when I try to feed him. But no more puffing through the glass.

Previous owner had him on 3 rats a week. I've got him on 1-2 a day, about 10 night crawlers and some silversides. Lets get the numbers rolling :).

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/617329_510847565605823_692975710_o.jpg

[jaleely]

Awesome. Good job, and I love it! I wanna see him dig! Lol

[War Machine]

Thank you, the ionidesi was the top monitor on my want list, and I came up dry a while ago, and picked up a Microstictus white throat instead, then I found this guy across the country, and I had to grab him lol

Couldn't be happier to have him. Unfortunately, he's going into a different enclosure next week, so all progress made so far, will be nil and void lol.

[jarich]

Awesome looking monitor, cant wait to see him all grown up.

[War Machine]

Here is a video update of him.

He is still very shy, but showing the feeding traits how an albig should. I don't see him that much yet to get a good measurement on him, but he's grown a bit. eating 2 fuzzies a day, with some crickets and night crawlers.

Varanus Albigularis Microstictus, and Ionidesi. (White Throat, Black Throat Monitors) - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIPeLQAN2io&feature=plcp)

[War Machine]

For anyone interested in albig growth rates.

This was 4 months ago.

Monitors and Water Dragons. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHYQEBYf1Do&feature=plcp)

Insane. Just kind of hit me lol

[nick654377]

wow that was quick. looking good

[War Machine]

yeah, its a good 24" in 4 months, the math is right, but Its just a shock to see him so small lol

[War Machine]

The Black throat is really coming around.

I got an even more aggressive feeding response out of him tonight. He pretty much jumped out of the enclosure. (not really lol)

This guy is going to be a fun beast thats for sure.

[War Machine]

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1098.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1100.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1104.jpg

[Pirarucu]

That's one good looking albig. What kinds of plants do you have in there?

[War Machine]

They're all fake Pirarucu, Just dollar store fake grass.

I will be trying some hardier real plants when he moves into the larger enclosure though.

[War Machine]

Wow, today was an even wilder feeding response.

He's caught onto the tong feeding now, about a week of consistent feeding with tongs.

I opened the door today, he propped up. I showed the tongs, I caught his attention, I clicked the tongs, he attacked me lol

I'm not sure whats turned him around so well, I've draped a towel over the glass during the day, and I've decreased his rats from pups to fuzzies.

Tonight he ate 5 fuzzies and 24 nightcrawlers. This guy is going to eat me out of house and home :P

[War Machine]

Black Throat Monitor. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LalT1xHEhU)

Black Throat Monitor - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1RbrgkSgc&feature=youtu.be)

Enjoy the tail whip in the first video :P

[Pirarucu]

They're all fake Pirarucu, Just dollar store fake grass.

I will be trying some hardier real plants when he moves into the larger enclosure though.That makes much more sense, LOL. What sorts of plants are you going to try?

[War Machine]

No picture updates tonight, unless he comes out for a viewing...

But I had a funny experience with him feeding tonight.

He was resting on the log, I opened the tank, no care for me. Showed him a rat, he chomped on it, Then, walked it over to my hand, (I was testing moisture in the dirt digging around) and he slapped me with it! lol ate it, then carried on away lol

[EmbraceCalamity]

Black Throat Monitor. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LalT1xHEhU)

Black Throat Monitor - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1RbrgkSgc&feature=youtu.be)

Enjoy the tail whip in the first video :PI didn't realise you're such a baby. =o And I have a heart attack when it fell out in the first video.

~Maggot

[War Machine]

I'm a baby? or the Monitor is still a baby? lol Because I am certainly afraid of him, for two reasons, Monitors have a nasty chomp, and its an experience I don't want to have again lol

AND, I don't want, or need to inflict stress or discouragement on him.

[EmbraceCalamity]

I'm a baby? or the Monitor is still a baby? lol Because I am certainly afraid of him, for two reasons, Monitors have a nasty chomp, and its an experience I don't want to have again lol

AND, I don't want, or need to inflict stress or discouragement on him.I meant you. :p

~Maggot

[KSTAR]

LOVE THOSE BTMs!!!! i just dont have space for one....i do want one in the future your mean machine looks great!

[MrBosc]

Wayne I died laughing at work!

Oh he is just full of joy. Quite the attitude lol I don't blame him though.

But, like all albigs, food conquers all, he took 4 worms from my tongs, then decided to play it safe, so I left a bowl of night crawlers, about 20 of em, he is getting 20+ a day to get hydration up. He is a bit skinny as well.

He took a rat on the ground too. So that's good, eating, pooped, and pissy, healthy albig.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-14.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-16.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-17.jpg

He did so much hissing, louder and more then the white throat did, I think he ran out of breathe, he was panting almost, for a minute or two. Any ideas?

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/image-18.jpg

More updates as he settles in!
Very nice mate =] I must agree he doesn't look a happy chappy though :P

[AjaMichelle]

Great videos! I can totally understand your trepidation. :) my new savannah monitor was biting my hands relentlessly and now I'm pretty hesitant about even letting him smell them. Getting bitten is no fun!

[War Machine]

Yeah, it's just stress not needed. He'll come around eventually, then I can think about working with him. He doesn't run or hide at the sight of me, though I don't think that's a trait of the albigs. He just puffs up and curls the tail when I'm too close lol

[infernalis]

my new savannah monitor was biting my hands relentlessly

Sounds just like Cera.

[Wyldrose]

That first picture of him is priceless!!
Very nice looking albig! I love the fake grass idea may have to find some for my sav's home.

[War Machine]

Smile, candid camera! lol

Notice his tail in every picture :P It bests describes his attitude lol He's having a long shed, Humidity levels are 70-75 for him, its coming, but slowly. I think his poor husbandry prior really did a number on him. He's doing well though, aggressive, bottomless pit :)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1348_zps4557601f.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1346_zps5e21621b.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1344_zpsc3e7ad2b.jpg

He is much leaner then when I got him, and he is certainly using his diet to get growing. He's about 5" longer already.

[varanus_mad]

Smile, candid camera! lol

Notice his tail in every picture :P It bests describes his attitude lol He's having a long shed, Humidity levels are 70-75 for him, its coming, but slowly. I think his poor husbandry prior really did a number on him. He's doing well though, aggressive, bottomless pit :)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1348_zps4557601f.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1346_zps5e21621b.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1344_zpsc3e7ad2b.jpg

He is much leaner then when I got him, and he is certainly using his diet to get growing. He's about 5" longer already.


The bad shedding may not be bad shedding at all matey i noticed with my albig when she was doing her fast growing she went straight out of one shed into another.

[War Machine]

The bad shedding may not be bad shedding at all matey i noticed with my albig when she was doing her fast growing she went straight out of one shed into another.

That makes much more sense, because I swear he was done shedding a week ago lol

[Damian745]

5 fuzzies, that's some appetite! He looks great though

[War Machine]

yeah he eats 3-4 on a daily basis. My bigger white throat is on about 3 weanlings daily now too.

[varanus_mad]

That makes much more sense, because I swear he was done shedding a week ago lol

It doesnt look like bad shed either matey, lots of shed all over the place.

bad shed you get bits stuck usually tail's with albigs.

[AjaMichelle]

Sounds just like Cera.

He totally reminded me of Cera! When he'd bite me I'd laugh and think of you two. Now we can relate lol! :)

[War Machine]

Didn't you guys know, albigs are arboreal?

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1528_zps769c5aaf.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1526_zpsec95f538.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1523_zps967a0581.jpg

Look at that schnozz :P

[Pirarucu]

Just goes to show, they use every bit of space they're given.

[iBaman]

someday...when i have more space...<3

[War Machine]

Just a video update.

Black Throat Monitor - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_vSI6T_qZU&feature=youtu.be)

j_vSI6T_qZU

[War Machine]

Well I got off my ***, insulated and furnished the front, and mocked up water dish. Sorry ive been slacking guys.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1768_zpsc7eec8ab.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1772_zps8a4bf90e.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1774_zpsa4c8880a.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1776_zpsd9120679.jpg

[Pirarucu]

Looking good!

[War Machine]

Although the tank is a "mid life" tank for the black throat, 10x5x7 (LxWxH) is small for an adult. I'm playing the small water dish card to try. All they do is turn the water to mud in hours. So I will plumb this one with a drain and valve.

[War Machine]

With that said, i've compensated with a Copious amount of dirt, Roughly 36" to burrow in. Hopefully I can make a 4' albig disappear :P

[War Machine]

did more work today.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1784_zpsa88bee7a.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1780_zps9ab7cfac.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1788_zpsb3eb1d15.jpg

[jarich]

Are you planning to build a basking spot up to those fixtures? It's a decently large distance between the substrate level and the basking lights.

[War Machine]

yes of course, basking is my next hurdle. just trying to figure out what material i want to use.

[Pirarucu]

yes of course, basking is my next hurdle. just trying to figure out what material i want to use.I always prefer to use wood for basking spots. Rock heats up to hotter temperatures farther away, so even if the platform reads a proper temp, the radiant heat may not heat the monitor itself to that temp, due to the distance. In addition, wood basking platforms mean you can keep it closer to the lights, and hotter in terms of radiant heat. If you put a stone basking platform too close, it could turn into a frying pan due to the direct contact with a very hot surface.

[DeadlyDesires]

I always prefer to use wood for basking spots. Rock heats up to hotter temperatures farther away, so even if the platform reads a proper temp, the radiant heat may not heat the monitor itself to that temp, due to the distance. In addition, wood basking platforms mean you can keep it closer to the lights, and hotter in terms of radiant heat. If you put a stone basking platform too close, it could turn into a frying pan due to the direct contact with a very hot surface.

I have 2 stones stacking up to my basking spot :O_o: and my temp reads 147F
i was told to use stones because they hold in heat better :-/

[infernalis]

I have 2 stones stacking up to my basking spot :O_o: and my temp reads 147F
i was told to use stones because they hold in heat better :-/

My basking area is 2 very flat river stones from my back yard, the bottom stone is cribbed in place with a pair of treated 2x6 planks, the second stone is on top of a plywood frame supported by a pair of 2x4 boards, my lizards commonly will wedge into the 2" gap and park there for a while.

View single post - Littlefoot & Cera (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/820043-post759.html)

this material works AWESOME... Just lay one on it's side and it offers a hide and a basking spot all in one.

Superior Clay Flue Liners (http://superiorclay.com/flue-liners.php)

http://superiorclay.com/img/hdr-flueliners.jpg

[Pirarucu]

I have 2 stones stacking up to my basking spot :O_o: and my temp reads 147F
i was told to use stones because they hold in heat better :-/They do, but your monitor is primarily after the radiant heat from the basking bulbs to heat up, not a hot surface. IMO a wood platform with stone under it works great.

[DeadlyDesires]

They do, but your monitor is primarily after the radiant heat from the basking bulbs to heat up, not a hot surface. IMO a wood platform with stone under it works great.


Not really sure how i would do that seeing as my basking spot is on a shelf that goes around my cage.. i dont think i could put a stone under it..

http://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s638/cynthia_mitchell/20130213_152148_zps5db86e2c.jpg

[Scale_fever]

Wow nice enclosure,it looks sweet! And Wayne them clay liners i can see myself using them n future plans,thank you for sharing.

[infernalis]

Wow nice enclosure,it looks sweet! And Wayne them clay liners i can see myself using them n future plans,thank you for sharing.

I found mine laying in my barn. There is a big square one laying in a meadow nearby, I need to drive over there and pick it up.

http://www.varanuspark.com/savannah/lizard.jpg

[jarich]

They do, but your monitor is primarily after the radiant heat from the basking bulbs to heat up, not a hot surface. IMO a wood platform with stone under it works great.

Im a little confused by this statement. What gives you that impression? Reptiles are after what warms them the quickest so they can go on to other things. Having the heat bulbs from above and the heated rock underneath offers them the best opportunity to warm up quickly. You see this often in nature when an exposed rock is warmed under the sun. Easiest way to find reptiles on a sunny day is look for rocks...

[Pirarucu]

Im a little confused by this statement. What gives you that impression? Reptiles are after what warms them the quickest so they can go on to other things. Having the heat bulbs from above and the heated rock underneath offers them the best opportunity to warm up quickly. You see this often in nature when an exposed rock is warmed under the sun. Easiest way to find reptiles on a sunny day is look for rocks...I should clarify. For "normal" basking temperatures for monitors, similar to what you find in the wild, rocks are fine and probably beneficial. I am mainly referring to situations where temperatures far exceeding natural temps are being offered. For instance, I have seen ackies offered a 200F basking spot on a wood platform, but I would not offer one that hot on a stone platform.
It comes down to captivity vs. the wild. In the wild, it would be harder for them to find basking temperatures over 130-140, so they lie on rocks to bask at 150-160. (Not sure what temperatures you would actually see in Africa, just using a theoretical example.) In captivity, if higher temperatures such as 180-200F are readily available, then there is no need for them to use a rock, and since rocks absorb and put off more heat than wood, it will be much too hot. With those kind of temperatures on a rock basking spot, you might as well be using a malfunctioning heat rock..

[Herpophiliac972]

That is an awesome looking monitor! Especially his face. He looks thoroughly pissed off. Maybe it was the shipping. I would be too if I went from in a cage to a box for a few days and into a new cage. He will probably calm down as he settles in. Good luck with him!

[War Machine]

Here are some pics of tonight

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1793_zps1645fe28.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1796_zps76e67e3d.jpg

And his roomate Parker, I'm really busting my *** now on the new tank now to get them in bigger spaces, PROGRESS WILL BE MADE! lol

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1801_zps46d34b27.jpg

[Pirarucu]

Both looking great as always!

[War Machine]

Thanks man!

I'm really trying to get the spaces done, I can and will offer more to them lol. My biggest excitement, is 3 feet of dirt for the Black throat, I really want to see that pan out well.

[varanus_mad]

I should clarify. For "normal" basking temperatures for monitors, similar to what you find in the wild, rocks are fine and probably beneficial. I am mainly referring to situations where temperatures far exceeding natural temps are being offered. For instance, I have seen ackies offered a 200F basking spot on a wood platform, but I would not offer one that hot on a stone platform.
It comes down to captivity vs. the wild. In the wild, it would be harder for them to find basking temperatures over 130-140, so they lie on rocks to bask at 150-160. (Not sure what temperatures you would actually see in Africa, just using a theoretical example.) In captivity, if higher temperatures such as 180-200F are readily available, then there is no need for them to use a rock, and since rocks absorb and put off more heat than wood, it will be much too hot. With those kind of temperatures on a rock basking spot, you might as well be using a malfunctioning heat rock..


i have done this with ackies, argus, and niloticus none of them bar the argus used a temp above 160f.

And i used a rock for the argus's temp.

I gave up on it though as there was no comparable change between wee steves behaviour.

[War Machine]

Pretty much done furnishing, just need to anchor the final secondary basking log. Any tips or ideas, feel free!

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1818_zps27fe75e7.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1821_zpsaec46f5c.jpg

The exposed 2x4 will be furnished in cork bark for a natural look

[jarich]

That big log looks like it was quite a haul! Is this in your basement? Youre going to have all sorts of fun getting that dirt down there. ;)

Pirarucu, it seems like you may be confusing the subject a bit. There is no difference in a surface temp of 200 F on a wooden board or 200 F on a rock. If they both read 200 F then that is what surface temperature they are. Now if you set up a basking spot with wood to read 200 F and then switched it to rock at that same distance from the bulbs, there is the possibility that this would get hotter than 200 F depending on surface texture, colour, etc. However, then all you would have to do is increase the distance to the lamps to go back to that surface temperature of 200. You would get a similar effect of increasing surface temperature by painting that same board black. However, if you set your basking surface temperature at 200 F on a rock, it is exactly the same temperature as 200 F on a wooden board.

[War Machine]

Hah, Jarich, that big log was even more of a pain to bolt in! :P And yes, I'm NOT looking forward to the dirt fill up lol.

I think pirachu is getting at the "radiant" heat a rock would give off, vs what wood would give off?

I decided to use slate/flagstone pieces for basking.

[War Machine]

Decided I didn't want to slack on the 2x4 dressing. Went out, got two large pieces of cork bark, and hacked away.

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1823_zps1755a603.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1825_zps052ffb3c.jpg

[Pirarucu]

I think pirachu is getting at the "radiant" heat a rock would give off, vs what wood would give off?Precisely. Try touching a 200F temp on wood, then on rock.. The materials may be heated to the same temperature, but they sure won't feel the same..

[jarich]

Ah, there we go! I was hoping for something to show what the confusion was. (just to clarify the point you made War Machine, radiated heat from the rock will be at the same temperature as the rock or less, it cant go higher than the temperature of the rock itself. Much like the moon can never be brighter than the sun)

But you did just tell me what the base issue was, which is that it feels hotter as a surface. Now that is a different thing altogether, and actually makes a case for the opposite of what you were initially suggesting. Like I said, the 200 degree wood and the 200 degree rock are the exact same temperature. However, we feel them differently based on numerous variables like surface texture and porosity. If you were to sand that same piece of wood perfectly smooth or give it a lacquered finish, it would feel pretty close to the same as that rock. Not because it got hotter, but because you feel it differently on your skin. In other words, its the interpretation of that temperature on your skin that makes you perceive it differently, not any actual difference in temperature. Burns are caused by temperature though, not perception.

In this case, having a 200 degree rock might actually feel hotter to the animal and thus might make the animal use it less as a result of that perception on the skin, even though it was no different in temperature. That should actually protect your animal rather than be problematic for it. Although, I would guess its a slight difference either way. ;)

[Pirarucu]

Ah, there we go! I was hoping for something to show what the confusion was. (just to clarify the point you made War Machine, radiated heat from the rock will be at the same temperature as the rock or less, it cant go higher than the temperature of the rock itself. Much like the moon can never be brighter than the sun)

But you did just tell me what the base issue was, which is that it feels hotter as a surface. Now that is a different thing altogether, and actually makes a case for the opposite of what you were initially suggesting. Like I said, the 200 degree wood and the 200 degree rock are the exact same temperature. However, we feel them differently based on numerous variables like surface texture and porosity. If you were to sand that same piece of wood perfectly smooth or give it a lacquered finish, it would feel pretty close to the same as that rock. Not because it got hotter, but because you feel it differently on your skin. In other words, its the interpretation of that temperature on your skin that makes you perceive it differently, not any actual difference in temperature. Burns are caused by temperature though, not perception.

In this case, having a 200 degree rock might actually feel hotter to the animal and thus might make the animal use it less as a result of that perception on the skin, even though it was no different in temperature. That should actually protect your animal rather than be problematic for it. Although, I would guess its a slight difference either way. ;)Or, having a basking spot with little surface area could allow the animal to bask closer to the light, with higher heat from the bulb.
Ultimately I think someone needs to make all the options available and see what the monitor likes... We are just humans, only the monitors know what is best. We can merely speculate.

[War Machine]

If its any consolation, The "hot spot" will be the 3-4 bulbs over slate/stone, but there will be a log affixed under the other 2 bulb location, I won't keep it as hot, but its another option to say the least.

[War Machine]

Oh her derr

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1873_zps2703a35c.jpg

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z197/VolcomDub/IMG_1879_zpsc2975f81.jpg

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