Heat rock

A Heat rock is the common name for a type of heating source in enclosures for cold-blooded animals to supply heat, in the form of a false novelty rock plugged into an electrical socket.

Although still sold in pet stores, many keepers feel direct contact with them can lead to discomfort and even burns, especially in smaller reptiles. Large reptiles supplied with heat rocks often prefer to stay near their rock at all times, diminishing their novelty.

Pet owners and keepers now usually recommended a non-direct contact UTH (under-the-tank-heater) or thermal tape which distributes heat through the enclosure’s substrate placed in different areas of the tank to create a more even heat gradient. Another popular solution is replacing regular lightning with UV-specific basking lights.