Different Thermometers Available For Reptiles
As reptiles are cold-blooded they derive their heat from the surroundings.
It is essential that you provide the correct temperature range otherwise this will affect the well being of your pet.
Used in conjunction with a thermostat, thermometers are an essential piece of equipment in reptile keeping.
Types Of Thermometer
Adhesive Thermometer
This is the cheapest thermometer and the easiest to install. Simply remove the backing strip and apply to the surface you wish to monitor the temperature of. This is normally the front glass of the vivarium.As they are very inexpensive there is no harm in placing one or maybe more on a larger vivarium as another check.
Analog Thermometer
The analog thermometer is the oldest design but has served reptile keepers well for many years. They normally come with an adhesive backing and you attach it inside the vivarium at the appropriate point.They do suffer from the disadvantage that after under high temperatures and humidity the adhesive may fail and they fall off. Also they can be difficult to read when positioned at the back of tanks.
Digital Thermometer With A Probe
This is a very useful thermometer for a vivarium. The unit is mounted outside the tank which means it is easily viewable. A small hole is bored in the vivarium for the probe which can then be placed in exactly the position that you wish to monitor. Make sure that it is securely attached.These type of thermometer also normally retain a minimum and maximum temperature reading so that you can check to see what temperature fluctuations are occurring. They also tend to be two thermometers one recording the tanks and one that gives you the room temperature of where the unit is situated.
On a large vivarium two of these thermometers, one placed at the hot end and one at the cool give ideal results.