Measuring temperature in tortoise table
 

Hi everyone,
This may be a stupid question. I am just wondering how other users measure the temperature underneath the basking light in their tortoise tables? I have one of those analogue ones with a dial but it seems a bit rubbish to be honest, so I am thinking of getting a digital thermometer with a probe, they don't seem too expensive. I am wondering about how to actually measure the temperature of the basking spot using it. Do I lay the probe on the substrate directly under the centre of the bulb or try suspend it to take the temperature at the height of my tortoise's shell? and do I wait until the thermometer temperature stops rising and take this as the actual temperature? I wonder if leaving it directly under the light it will get hotter and hotter and not give the actual temperature?
Thanks in advance for any replies!

Hi I use a digital thermometer which also records lowest and highest temps aswel. Ive got mine under the substrate with the probe sticking out directly under the basking spot where the tortoise would be basking. You will probably find your temp changes in temp slightly due to weather outside being hotter or colder making room temp different, also if you have heating on in house temp may also rise.

yes basically just put it directly under the lamp in the centre of the beam. the height of the tort's shell will not make a huge difference, maybe a degree but if you like you could put something in at the estimated height of the tort and do it on that. the best thermometer is the infra red ones you just point it and pull the trigger or press the button and it gives an instant reading. see here http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=37584 listing ended see here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

it will only get hotter and hotter then stop, as the room warms up it may get a bit warmer but initially it will go up quickly (well 5 - 10 mins) then more or less stop

Great, thanks for the replies. Think I will go for an infra red one now, I thought they were a lot more expensive than that, thanks for the link as well!

I agree with Al. I found the probe thing just kept getting hotter and hotter....(which it would if its just left under something and warming up!). So to me, doing this just made life difficult.
I will say (and this isnt for owners to follow really) that I have the probe at the top of Lily's warm end, buried in the soil. I am intending to buy one of the digital infrared thermometers that Al mentions - really to give me spot readings as soon as I point and click - so that I dont get confused with all the fluctuating.
I tend to just add on approx 5/6 degrees to what the 'warm end' reads, which gives me an indication of basking spot temp - but this is just a temporary thing. Lilys warm end probe usually reads anything from 26degrees to 28degrees - depending on room warmth, outside temps, ventilation etc. I also have my lights off for an hour in the afternoon as Lily is more often than not asleep. This also eases the temps a bit, in case they get too high. xx;)

I find that Lily will sometimes sit in the direct spot but also move to the side. So remember if it does make them feel too hot or perhaps that they dont want it so intense - they can and do move to the sides. :) xx (unless thats just Lily telling me to hurry up and get an infrared! :( )

........... :lol:

I got an infra red a few weeks ago - much better (and more hygenic when moving between enclosures). I def recommend one!

Trust you....I have now changed the wording..
(huh huh...Beavis and Butthead "She said end"