Zoo Med Hot Rock Heater
Thermostat
None built in — optional external rheostat sold separately; never run as sole heat source
Zoo Med Hot Rock Heater
A warm rock surface reptiles settle onto for extra digestive heat. The Zoo Med Hot Rock Heater is a low-wattage, contact-style basking rock that sits inside the terrarium and warms the surface your reptile rests against — useful supplemental heat for large-bodied snakes and lizards after a big feed. It comes in three sizes (Mini 5 W, Medium 10 W, Giant 15 W) so the wattage can be matched to the enclosure. It is a supplementary heat source, not a primary one, and has no built-in thermostat.
Key features
- Three wattages — 5 W (Mini), 10 W (Medium) and 15 W (Giant) to suit enclosures from small to large.
- Contact warmth — heats the rock's surface rather than the air, useful for species that seek digestive heat after eating.
- Low profile — sits flush in the enclosure rather than mounting overhead.
- Designed for glass terrariums — Zoo Med specifies glass only; other enclosure materials void the warranty.
- Simple wiring — plugs straight into a wall outlet, no separate transformer.
Specifications
| Size | SKU | Wattage | Dimensions (L x W x H) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | ZM01 | 5 W | 15 x 10 x 3 cm |
| Medium | ZM02 | 10 W | 25 x 16 x 4 cm |
| Giant | ZM03 | 15 W | 40 x 18 x 4 cm |
As with all mains-powered reptile gear sold in Australia, this unit is wired for our 220–240 V, 50 Hz household supply.
Suitable for, and not suitable for
- Suitable as supplemental heat for pythons, boas, monitors, tegus and iguanas — species that benefit from warming their belly after a large meal.
- Not suitable as the sole heat source in any enclosure — Zoo Med is explicit that if your reptile never leaves the rock, the terrarium itself is too cold and needs an additional heat source.
- Not intended for amphibians.
- Not a substitute for an overhead basking lamp or ambient heating in tropical or desert setups.
Safety
There is no built-in thermostat. Zoo Med sells a separate rheostat as an optional accessory for owners who want to dial in surface temperature rather than run the unit at full output continuously. Follow these rules from the manufacturer:
- Never wrap the heater in a towel, or bury or cover it with substrate.
- Never stack it directly under or over another heat source.
- Use in a glass terrarium only.
- Keep a thermometer on the enclosure and maintain a minimum ambient of 27°C (80°F) for tropical species.
- Never lift or move the unit by its cord.
Care and maintenance
Wipe the rock surface clean of substrate and waste as part of normal enclosure cleaning. Check the cord periodically for wear, and replace the unit if the cord or the rock's surface is damaged.
Warranty and delivery
Covered by Zoo Med's manufacturer warranty against defects, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Ships as a standard parcel.
Common questions
Does it come with a thermostat?
No. The Hot Rock Heater has no built-in temperature control. Zoo Med sells a separate rheostat if you want to adjust surface output.
Can I use it as my only heat source?
No. Zoo Med states it should never be the sole heat source — if your reptile is spending all its time on the rock, the enclosure needs additional heating.
Which size do I need?
Match the size to your enclosure and animal: Mini (5 W) suits smaller setups, Medium (10 W) suits mid-sized enclosures, and Giant (15 W) suits larger pythons, monitors and tegus.
Can I use it in a plastic or wooden enclosure?
Zoo Med specifies glass terrariums only. Using it in other enclosure materials voids the manufacturer's warranty.
