Many of you probably know, but but perhaps not all, so:
1. In Scandinavia, builders use a heavy plastic, partially transparent like a VERY dirty foggy window. It lasts for "ever" inside a building, and tolerates UV from the sun very well. Perhaps because it lets UV pass. I have measured with my cheap meter that around 50 % gets through.
I read acrylic does the same, but my meter said no. Special acrylic can be bought (expensive).
I have used some plastic for 3-4 years in my greenhouse. The occasional storm makes some damage, but repairs are cheap and easy.
I also use it for my tortoise pen, of course with care not to overheat.
The reward is my Testudo marginatas in the summer love to bask, and develope colors that a UV lamp cannot give. I live at 60 degrees north, about the same as Southern Greenland. Outdoor active season about three months, due to be extended next year.
2. Builders and handymen now also have acces to cheap temperature measurement with something that looks like a foggy green laser.
I use that in the pen and on the back of the tortoises, it tells a lot about their activitity when I am not there, and cold or hot spots in the pen.
I suspect that reptiles, to some degree can direct their bloodflow, to pick up heat efficiently. I do not have to say that it must be very important
not to point the apparatus at eyes of anything living, of course
1. In Scandinavia, builders use a heavy plastic, partially transparent like a VERY dirty foggy window. It lasts for "ever" inside a building, and tolerates UV from the sun very well. Perhaps because it lets UV pass. I have measured with my cheap meter that around 50 % gets through.
I read acrylic does the same, but my meter said no. Special acrylic can be bought (expensive).
I have used some plastic for 3-4 years in my greenhouse. The occasional storm makes some damage, but repairs are cheap and easy.
I also use it for my tortoise pen, of course with care not to overheat.
The reward is my Testudo marginatas in the summer love to bask, and develope colors that a UV lamp cannot give. I live at 60 degrees north, about the same as Southern Greenland. Outdoor active season about three months, due to be extended next year.
2. Builders and handymen now also have acces to cheap temperature measurement with something that looks like a foggy green laser.
I use that in the pen and on the back of the tortoises, it tells a lot about their activitity when I am not there, and cold or hot spots in the pen.
I suspect that reptiles, to some degree can direct their bloodflow, to pick up heat efficiently. I do not have to say that it must be very important
not to point the apparatus at eyes of anything living, of course
