Measuring Temp of Hot Spot

[ChameleonLady]

What is the most accurate way to measure the temp of your cham's basking spot? I have two digital thermometers with a temp probe zip tied to the branch and I also test it with a temp gun by shooting red dot pretty close to the branch and there is a huge variance in temps. It is driving me nuts. Help!!!!!

 

[Decadancin]

The Temp gun is the most accurate way, but you need to make sure it is accurate. Even brand new out of the box they can be off. Once you are sure the temp is accurate, take readings of the basking branch, or even your basking chameleon and you will have your answer.

 

[jajeanpierre]

What is the most accurate way to measure the temp of your cham's basking spot? I have two digital thermometers with a temp probe zip tied to the branch and I also test it with a temp gun by shooting red dot pretty close to the branch and there is a huge variance in temps. It is driving me nuts. Help!!!!!

Touch can be a good back up. Your body is 98.6F, but your hands will be slightly colder. If you feel the back of the chameleon (his back is closer to the heat source than the branch is) and it is warm, it is slightly warmer than your hand. If it feels neither hot or cold, it is about the temp of your hand. If it is cool, it is below body temperature.

Using hands to detect the slight increase of heat from inflammation in the legs of racehorses is a tried and true method. You have to be quick or you heat up/cool of both the branch and your hand and you lose the ability to differentiate. Hands have a margin of error that can't differentiate a few degrees. Just grab the basking spot for a second and decide--warmer, cooler or the same temp.

If you are in doubt, using your hands to test temps is a good back up.