Measuring temperature

From UroWiki

Digital vs. analogue

There are two types of thermometers: digital and analogue. Analogue thermometers are recognisable by having a mercury scale or a dial. Analogue thermometers also sometimes come as a stick-on strip, although these are the worst. You should not use analogue thermometers as they are well-known for being inaccurate in their measurements, sometimes by as much as much as 20%. While analogue thermometers can be accurate, unless you are regularly testing and calibrating yours, it is not recommended for long-term use. You often find these sold in pet stores under the Exo-Terra brand.

Digital thermometers, on the other hand, tend to have a high degree of accuracy (usually +/-1%) and are generally very reliable. Additionally, many models of digital thermometer come with an option of a remote probe, allowing two temperature readings to be taken (local and remote) and the results viewed from the same screen. This allows you to place a probe inside the sleeping cave, for example, and easily monitor temperatures there.

Measuring ambient temperature

Ambient temperatures (and humidity) should be measured by placing a digital thermometer at either end of the enclosure, preferably about half-way between the ground and the roof. This will allow you to see the temperature difference between the hot and cool ends, and allow you to check that your thermal gradient is being maintained.

Measuring the basking spot

One of the essential tools for an uromastyx keeper is the relatively cheap but effective infra-red temperature gun. This is useful for checking the surface temperatures of the basking spot, as it operates by beaming a 1:1 ratio (1cm distance from target = 1 cm² measured) infra-red beam onto the surface to be read. The temperature of the surface affects the wavelength of the beam, which is then decoded by the unit when the beam returns to the sensor. There is no other practical method of measuring the surface temperature of the basking rocks than by infra-red emission.

• IR temperature gun range from TempGun.com