When do you take temperature

[TortoiseTedTheLeopard]

When do you take the temp under your basking light?
I have an infrared thermometer, and my reading an hour or two after the bulb turns on is around 85-90 degrees. By the end of the day it will reach upwards of a 100 degrees directly under.

FYI I have a leopard tortoise and my overnight temps never go below 70 degrees cause my house temp is 68-72. The cooler sides of his enclosure are around 80 at peak heating.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

I constantly check mine... sometimes twice daily. But I'm a fanatic. lol

 

[TortoiseTedTheLeopard]

I do the same. Just trying to figure out how long into the heating process is the sweet spot.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

I do the same. Just trying to figure out how long into the heating process is the sweet spot.

I use a brooder lamp for basking. It's usually ripe in less than 30 seconds.

 

[Tom]

When do you take the temp under your basking light?
I have an infrared thermometer, and my reading an hour or two after the bulb turns on is around 85-90 degrees. By the end of the day it will reach upwards of a 100 degrees directly under.

FYI I have a leopard tortoise and my overnight temps never go below 70 degrees cause my house temp is 68-72. The cooler sides of his enclosure are around 80 at peak heating.

Night temp should never drop below 80 for a leopard.

You check the temp by placing a digital thermometer directly under the bulb, at tortoise shell height, and letting it cook for an hour or more. Infrared thermometers are not so good for this application.

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Night temp should never drop below 80 for a leopard.

You check the temp by placing a digital thermometer directly under the bulb, at tortoise shell height, and letting it cook for an hour or more. Infrared thermometers are not so good for this application.

Hmmm. Guess I've had it all wrong then. Running out now to position my probe....

 

[Tim Carlisle]

@Tom - I did as you suggested and placed a probe at shell level under my brooder light for an hour. 95.1F. Good tip!

 

[Tom]

@Tom - I did as you suggested and placed a probe at shell level under my brooder light for an hour. 95.1F. Good tip!

Was the probe at tortoise shell height? I use one of these and lay it on its back under the heat lamp:

 

[Tim Carlisle]

Was the probe at tortoise shell height? I use one of these and lay it on its back under the heat lamp:
View attachment 369146

Yep, as instructed.

 

[Guy]

When do you take the temp under your basking light?
I have an infrared thermometer, and my reading an hour or two after the bulb turns on is around 85-90 degrees. By the end of the day it will reach upwards of a 100 degrees directly under.

FYI I have a leopard tortoise and my overnight temps never go below 70 degrees cause my house temp is 68-72. The cooler sides of his enclosure are around 80 at peak heating.

I have a probe hanging directly below heat top of shell high with digital read out day and night so I can always see temp.. have 22 yr Leopard too.