Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a temp gun for my moniter. Would I be able to use the temp gun to read my kingsnakes temp with it or does it read differently from regular thermometer?

Infrared temp guns measure the surface temp of what ever you point them at. The closer you are the more acurate. They don't measure air temps like a regular thermometer would. (unless you burry it in the substrate)

As Zack mentioned, most therometers measure air temps. Infra-reds read reflective or surface temps.

The advantage of IR thermo's is, they can read very high temps, say in the normal varanid hotspot, 125 to 175F range. Where air temp thermo's mostly read 125F and down.

Their is another difference and the difference is a great one. KS people are speaking the wrong language. Snakes, monitors, and torts, turtles, do not give a hoot about air temps. They understand and judge reflective(sun) and mass temps. That is their language.

Air temps are related but inconsistant and inaccurate. For instance, air temps of 75F, surface temps of 135F and burrow temps(6 inches in) of 85F, are a common combination in the sun. The same 75F air temp would be in a completely difference set of temps in the shade. Or on moist ground, or leaves, or black rocks, etc. Reptiles use all but the air temps. This is the key to understanding reptile behavior.

Yes you can use your IR for kingsnakes, but watch out, or you will start to learn like a reptile. Cheers

nm

Thank you both for your responce. I'm a bit confused here let me try to set things stright. To have the correct surface temp for my snake, the temp gun should read 85f on the hot side, is that correct?

NP