Temp gun

[danktat]

I am trying to figure out how to get a consistant reading out of this temp gun. If I point it at my leg (thigh) I get one temp (in the pic) if at my arm or torso or face I get different temps (none of which are what my actual body temp is if I use an in mouth thermometer.



My question is. How would you use this to determine a snake's body temp if the same device (obviously reading surface temp as opposed to core temp) can fluctuate so wildly over different parts of the body. By the way the temps are consistant over the same parts just variable when moved from one part to another.

[Smits]

good question. I know that with temp guns, they have some scale with them that averages the temp of a certain diameter at certain distances.......that's a good one Dan! Sorry I'm no help

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[deadliestformula]

I am wondering if it is just picking up the surface temperature. If so your legs vs stomach vs face WILL all have different surface temps. Sorry I couldn't be more help, just all I know is that different parts of a persons body do have different temps by a degree or two. Also a note on human temps -- 98.6 is norm for oral, norm for under arm is 97.6, and rectal norm is 99.6. Or so I have been led to believe.

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[Slithers]

im in agreement that your thigh/forearm, etc will each have different readings than an oral thermometer would.

just try it out on a snake.

btw...i never heard of checking body temps with a temp gun...

[Adrya]

I would imagine that if the basking spot temp is where you want it to be when you check it with the temp gun... wouldn't the snake get to that same temperature too if basking there? I always just checked the basking spot temperatures.

That is certainly a good question...

[trendkill]

Take the temperature near their heart (it's about down about 1/4 to 1/3 of their body length from the head). That's what I usually do.. makes sense that body temperature would be most important/accurate in that area. My temp gun gives out different readings on different body parts too. I've discovered that belly buttons are usually quite warm, as are ears and the bottom of your feet.. haha. I play with that thing too much.

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