Bearded dragons are popular reptiles to keep as a pet in homes today. They come in different shapes, sizes, and colors while requiring minimal care.
Most bearded dragons are happy with some crickets, a few mealworms, and access to fresh water.
When you can provide enough heat for them to be comfortable, they’ll live a contented life.
The way you provide the correct temperature has a direct impact on this animal’s quality of life. Heat lamps, heating pads, and ultraviolet spectrum bulbs are popular ways to simulate a natural environment for the bearded dragon.
Another choice that is gaining in popularity is a heated rock. Is it safe to include this temperature source in a bearded dragon’s enclosure?
Can Bearded Dragons Use Heat Rocks?
Heat rocks are a popular basking space for bearded dragons. The best products use built-in thermostats to maintain an appropriate heat setting to prevent thermal burns. Without this safeguard, the rocks must receive constant attention to ensure they are not too hot to touch.
Bearded dragons rely on a warm environment for their biological processes. Several bodily functions, including digestion, are dependent on there being enough heat in their environment.
One of the best ways to provide this resource is by installing a heated rock in the enclosure.
A heat rock helps cold-blooded animals regulate their temperature by providing constant heat. Bearded dragons love having one in their enclosures because it is an effective resource to use for shedding and other biological processes.
The issue with heat rocks involves how hot they can get. Before installing a heat rock, you’ll need full-spectrum lighting that includes UVA and UVB to support a healthy habitat. Once you have the appropriate illumination, a well-regulated heat rock could provide additional support.
How Hot Do Heat Rocks Get?
Unregulated heat rocks can achieve temperatures of 150°F or more. That heat level is hot enough to cause burns to a bearded dragon. Although the animals can typically sense this threat, some juveniles who have never encountered this product before could suffer significant injuries with a simple touch.
The best heat rocks allow you to set an appropriate temperature for your bearded dragons. If you have young ones, a max temperature setting of 100°F would be appropriate. When they become adults, you’ll want to dial it back by five degrees.
All heat rocks can sometimes develop hot spots because of their design or through normal wear-and-tear. When one area is significantly warmer than all the others, there is a direct threat to your animal and the enclosure.
The best heat rocks offer built-in thermostats to limit the risks of temperature volatility. If the product gets too hot, an automatic shutoff ensures that the bearded dragon stays safe.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Heat Rocks for Bearded Dragons?
Heat rocks are a practical resource for reptiles like bearded dragons when they’re used appropriately.
Before adding one to your enclosure, consider a careful review of these pros and cons to ensure you feel satisfied with the safety of the product and the animals under your care.
| List of the Pros of Using Heat Rocks | List of the Cons of Using Heat Rocks |
| The extra heat provided by this product helps with a bearded dragon’s metabolism. It delivers consistent results that aren’t always available from lamps or under-enclosure sources. | A single heat rock can cause small enclosures to exceed the recommended maximum temperature for bearded dragons. Venting or other ways to control temps might be necessary. |
| You can increase the day and night temperatures in the enclosure for the bearded dragon to simulate their natural habitat. | Unless the heat rock has built-in thermostats or regulators, it can be challenging to keep this product at a safe temperature for bearded dragons to use. |
| A heat rock has enough strength that it can provide an appropriate temperature in areas where cold weather is common. It ensures that even when it gets cold at night that the animal stays safe. | Some heat rocks can develop hot spots after long-term use that could cause burns or other injuries to a bearded dragon. |
| The design of a heat rock allows a reptile to get as close as it wants to the warmer temperature without restriction. They’re designed to let the animals move on or off the product conveniently. | Bearded dragons often require less heat for their metabolism than a heat rock offers. Without a low-temperature option, many designs are hazardous to the health of this animal. |
| Your enclosure provides a warm resting spot for the bearded dragon, even if a full-spectrum light isn’t available to use. | When temperatures remain too high within an enclosure, it can cause dehydration problems for bearded dragons. Open sores can also develop. |
The Australian desert has rocks that the sun gets hot, but the bearded dragons don’t rest on them at the high point of the day. That’s why it is crucial to simulate the natural environment as much as possible at home.
Extreme heat is hazardous. Without temperature regulation features, you could be doing more harm than good.
Best Heat Rocks to Use for Bearded Dragons
Heat rocks come in several different shapes and sizes. The best ones offer enough space for basking without creating an out-of-control environment for bearded dragons.
Here’s a closer look at some of the best products to consider adding to your enclosure.
Exo Terra Heatwave Rock
This UL-listed heat rock uses an electronically controlled heating element to provide a safe temperature. It uses a fully encased design that comes in three different sizes for convenience. You also receive an LED indicator that lets you know when it is on or off.
When a preset surface temperature is reached, the Exo Terra Heatwave Rock automatically turns off to prevent overheating and burns. It uses a thermally conductive resin to create a waterproof product that delivers even heat distribution. That allows it to work in humid or dry enclosures.
It takes about an hour to warm up to the desired temperature, ensuring that the metabolism adjustments for bearded dragons occur naturally.
Zoo Med Repticare Rock Heater
When you choose the Zoo Med Repticare Rock Heater, you’re getting a product that offers a washable surface and a water-resistant element. It uses hydrated rock materials to ensure even heat conduction for bearded dragons to use. It is TUV and CSA approved.
Although this product doesn’t come with a thermostat, the maximum temperature rating is suitable for bearded dragons. The heat rock is about eight inches by five inches, so it can cause temperature changes in small enclosures.
It’s an excellent option for places where it gets cold at night, but a warmer temperature is still necessary for the bearded dragon to thrive. The cord has enough length for a standard installation.
If you have a 55-gallon enclosure or larger, it may be easier to grab a two-pack of the Zoo Med Repticare Rock Heaters instead. This product only requires 5W of energy.
AIICIOO Reptile Heat Rock
The AIICIOO Reptile Heat Rock provides uniform heating across its surface to deliver the right temperature for the animal’s needs. Its outer cover is made from a sturdy resin to offer a non-toxic and waterproof experience. The design is fully encased to ensure there aren’t any hot spots.
The primary issue with this heat rock is its design. Since it is more rounded than flat, it can be difficult for bearded dragons to find a comfortable perch. An automatic shutoff mechanism is included to prevent burns and sores.
Steps for Caring for a Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons prefer big tanks. They can get up to 24 inches in size, and species can even reach a length of 30 inches. That means an adult needs up to 120 gallons for enough space to move around and grow. Depending on the heat rock style purchased, it might be necessary to have two included in the environment.
Having a bearded dragon at home can be fun, but it can also be a challenge. These animals have a special care routine to follow that includes a few essential tank accessories.
You’ll need a basking rock and a place for them to hide, bedding that you can change, and different plants or driftwood. Some bearded dragons like to sit in a hammock.
Some people like to use sand in their enclosure to mimic the bearded dragon’s natural environment, while others use reptile carpets, cocoa bark, or interlocking wood. Since some options are more challenging to clean than others, you’ll want to consider how much effort you have time to put into the work to ensure ongoing health and happiness.
When a hot rock gets included, you can avoid the expense of running a 60W heat lamp or full-spectrum LED bulb constantly while delivering the heat that’s needed. It is an essential investment when the product comes with the features that keep your bearded dragon safe.