if i use a heating pad underneath a plastic cage, but the cage has glass inside, can the grass catch on fire?

Question

i have a small simple heating pad, the ones you use on humans, i dont know if a heating pad for cages is dif., and if it is plz tell me, but my lizards need heat or they will die. if i turn on this heating pad for now, on low, under a plastic cage, can the grass inside the cage catch on fire? i dont want to burn my lizards or anything. please help

Answer 1

I have used medical heating pads as short term reptile heaters many times. Put it on low, or medium at the most. Keep in mind that they are not intended for constant use, so you are kinda doing this at your own risk. I have put them under plastic sterilite tubs with paper towels as bedding, and have not seen anything to be worried about, so grass should be ok. If in doubt, change to a different bedding. I don't use grass for anything, you may want to switch to bark or sand, depending on if your lizards come from a desert environment(sand), or more of a grassland (dry bark)or humid jungle type environment(bark, occasionally misted).
Upgrade to an actual reptile heater as soon as you can, but the pad should be ok a for a few days. Make sure and check on it from time to time to make sure its not getting too hot, and watch for burn spots( again, I have'nt had a problem yet).
Also, remember to only put it under 1 end of the cage.

Answer 2

Human heating pads were not designed to be left on 24 hours a day, which is what lizards need. They can be a fire hazard if used this way. Under tank heat pads made for reptile tanks are much safer, as they don't get to such high temps. You still want to plug them into a thermostat or dimmer switch to adjust temps, though, because many go over 100F. Use a digital probe thermometer on the floor of the tank to accurately measure temps. What kind of lizards do you have? I'm not sure "grass" is an appropriate substrate.

Answer 3

Heating pads (human) aren't such a good choice for this application as they can get hot enough to melt the plastic container & they aren't designed to be used on a round the clock basis & will pose a fire hazzard as well from overuse. There are several types of undertank heaters specifically made for reptile use & are regulated by a thermostat to prevent injury to your animal or any potential fire hazzard & thery are easy to find and install & are not very expensive to buy or operate.

Answer 4

no longer if the plastic is thick sufficient. and ought to I propose putting the heating pad on the area of the tank somewhat than the backside. tarantulas some situations burrow to get far off from the warmth. i do no longer use a warmth pad in spite of the undeniable fact that. I shop the room around seventy 8 ranges F.