Reptile & Amphibian Forums

does any one know the difference between those temp guns ad that flashs on one of these forums...other then the price. which would be better to get for my snakes and why? thanks

1 jungle carpet python
1 honduran milk snake
2 corns
1 sonoran gopher
2 anoles
3 fire belly toads
4 cats
2 dogs

I got a super cheap one at Radio Shack for $29.95 ( on sale ) back when the herp suppliers were charging way over $100. It works great, I love it. Great for checking floor temperatures, and monitoring critter temperature when outside, or away from heat source.
-----

Stop the world-I want to get off!

I got the same temp gun, works great and instant temp!!

Temperature guns (infrared temp devices) vary in precision and accuracy, although they have all gotten better in the last 5 years. The best ones have a setting that allows you to compensate for the material being measured. For example, when you read the temperature of a metal using this device, the reading may be slightly different than measuring the temp of wood at exactly the same temperature. That is because these two materials radiate heat differently.

In general, for snakes and wood and plastic, any general temp gun is fine, but you will be happier if you get one with a laser sight so you know where you are reading the temp.
-----
Mark G
Collection:
Assorted CA rosies
A few Ariz mtn kings

For non-venomous snakes, the cheap one works fine. You just have to keep in mind that it reads the temp of a circle that is proportional to the distance from the gun to the subject. Therefore, it is more accurate if it is within a few inches of the target. With hots, that may be unsafe.

I have the cheap one, and I love it for checking temps on heat tape, road temps when road cruising and herp temps.
-----
Chris Harrison