Hi
Does anyone use the non contact infrared thermometer's and if so what temps in Celcius do you get when the tort has been basking? I am asking because I think mine may not be reading the temps correctly and before I return it I would like to check. I am getting very high temps which are not logical 53C when the every else is reading 28-29c . Keya is nicely warm but not on boiling. Raised another question, what would the core temps be?

Thanks
Jane

I've just been to check all mine Jane.  The basking hatchlings shell temps read between 28 and 29°C.  The basking Russians read at 30-32°C and the basking leopards between 32 and 40°C.  The thing is the tortoises are happy and have lots of space to move in and out of the hot temps and they do so.  I would be worried if I got a shell temp in the 50's as the tortoise's critical thermal mass is 40°C and if kept at that temperature without being able to move away it would die.

I also checked the inside of my own wrist temp over the radial pulse for you and it reads at 30.1°C with my temp gun. 

HTH

Helen

Hi Helen
Thanks for your quick reply.  I think my thermometer is playing up, when I do my wrist and/or back of hand I am getting readings of 49c, if  I do under my chin I get 56c, if I do my throat I get 36 hmmm obviously not right. Thanks for doing that for me.  Another question, when you take the temp readings , do you place the digital thermometers above and let the probe hang freely about 5" away from the ground? I also have in their pens the upright thermeters as well as the digital probes. My temps read between 24-28 depending on the changing outside temps. If it goes higher e.g sun comes out strong, then Keya has the sense to move away and goes outside for a while. Molly just puts herself to bed.  It would be lovely if and when anyone from the TPG is passing Northampton, they  could  call in and have a look at my set up and offer any advice, of course cake and tea/coffee would be on the menu at all times, it is just that I don't have anyone experienced that lives near me who could offer that help?
Anyway back to the original question, I will return the thermeter, I brought it from Kimbos who are absolutely brilliant, so no problems there, but I wanted to double check before putting them to the inconvenience of replacing it.
Many thanks
Jane

Hi Jane,

When I use a temp gun, I aim it at the carapace, and hold it about six inches away (but I have no idea if that is right). You are getting awfully high temperatures. Have you taken one of you upright thermometers and put it exactly where you are taking the temperature with the temp gun to check (it's amazing how different the temp can be just a few inches away from under the basking light. I hang the probe of my digi thermometer at the height of the top of the carapace of my tortoise (which in my case is less than 5") -- and sometimes, if she is basking under the light, I just rest the probe on top of her shell to see what that temp is. I have no idea if I'm doing this right though!

Hmm, how can I resist an offer of cake and tea! I live in Oxford and don't usually pass through Northampton, but if I do I will let you know, as it is always lovely to see people's set-ups.

Nina

Hi Nina

Sorry missed your post, not like me!!!!
I returned the thermometer to the supplier and they confirmed that it was not working properly, phewww had me worried.  They are going to send me a new one so I will see how I get on with it.
It would always be lovely to see you and your expertise would be gratefully received
TC Jane

Hi Jane,

That's a relief about the thermometer -- but it is worrying to think they can malfunction in that way! And it would be lovely to see you too. I think we need to organise a get together for TPG members!

Nina

That sounds a brilliant idea
Jane