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Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

Checking temps in cages

kane65 Jun 02, 2004 01:29 PM

I just wanted to make sure I've been doing this correctly.

In my cages, I use 2-3 probes depending upon the size of the enclosure. One probe is just below the surface of the bedding in each hide. This is what I base my temps on. One hide stays at 80 day/nite because it's on a thermostat. The other hide (with heat on a rheostat) is 90 during the day & 85-88 at nite. Is this the best way to monitor temps?

Is ambient temps the measure of the air? If so, how do you monitor it? I use a temp gun to spot check the rest of the enclosure just to make sure it's not below 75 anywhere.

Thanks
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(¯`·.¸¸.·´Kane`·.¸¸.·´¯)

Replies (4)

slytherin Jun 02, 2004 01:41 PM

ambient temp is the temp of the surrounding area so if you are in a room & the temp is 84 the ambient temp is 84...in order to do this in a room with a temp gun i just zap in all directions usually if the reading varies it wont be by alot, maybe degrees or so. I just take the average number & go by that

mistysprouse Jun 02, 2004 02:40 PM

Do you find some snakes like the cage on the colder side? I have one male that seems to like his cage without a 90 side.

slytherin Jun 02, 2004 02:48 PM

yea some of them don't make use of the hot spot as much as others & alot of mine seem to love soaking

Tigergenesis Jun 02, 2004 07:55 PM

My guy seems to spend time in areas more like 85-88 degrees. He goes to the warmer areas (90-92) after handling outside the tank. But, the two nights before feeding he'll 'bask' under the infrared heat light in the evenings (temps here get way hot) - it's like he has it backwards by staying in the hot area before eating.
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