Eek! 111 degrees??

I have one of those Flukers digital humidity/temp gauges. I had it sitting right on top of a hide in one of my snake's cages, a full 18 inches below the heat light, and when I walked by the cage earlier it was reading 111 degrees! I immiediatly turned the lamp off, but I really find it hard to believe that it was that hot that far below the light. It is only a 75 watt bulb, for goodness sakes. I have no overheating problems when using a red heat bulb of the same wattage in the same cage with the same gauge in the same spot. I was thinking perhaps that because the gauge is black, it absorbs more of the heat and gives an innaccurate reading, given that it is one of the daylight type bulbs. Any thoughts?

Most likely inaccurate. You need to get a temp gun to be really sure.

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Originally Posted by spix14

I have one of those Flukers digital humidity/temp gauges. I had it sitting right on top of a hide in one of my snake's cages, a full 18 inches below the heat light, and when I walked by the cage earlier it was reading 111 degrees! I immiediatly turned the lamp off, but I really find it hard to believe that it was that hot that far below the light. It is only a 75 watt bulb, for goodness sakes. I have no overheating problems when using a red heat bulb of the same wattage in the same cage with the same gauge in the same spot. I was thinking perhaps that because the gauge is black, it absorbs more of the heat and gives an innaccurate reading, given that it is one of the daylight type bulbs. Any thoughts?

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Most keepers around here recommend Acu-rite temp/hygrometer's gotten at Lowes for 12 bucks. Additional to that, a temp gun so you can spot check all around the floor areas of your cage/tank/tub. Hides tend to hold the heat and so maybe that is what it was measuring- I have no idea. Get rid of the Flukers- they are not accurate and you have no way of checking the accuracy without a temp gun and a probe from the Acu-Rite. Anyone can take guesses; your snake needs you to know..... :gj:

111 is not bad if that is the basking spot go outside and point a temp gun at a rock on a hot day with the sun out it will be way more than 110 degs. as long as there is still a cool side than your snake will be fine.

hell my monitors cage has a spot that will hit 140 and he loves to sit under it for short ammount of times but then he will go in his burro and cool off.

Matt, ball pythons don't go bask in the sun - they're inside burrows during the day - so you can't say 111 isn't too hot for an animal that doesn't bask in the sun.

I've actually been planning to go get a few of those Acu-rites for everyone. I had just heard that the Flukers worked fine (on this forum I believe) so I wasn't in a huge rush. Guess I will get off my lazy bum and go to Lowes now.

Where can I find a good temp gun? Are the ones on Pro Exotics any good?

Pro Exotics are a good source :)

i use a 40 watt bulb and that occasionally gets too hot.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Matt, ball pythons don't go bask in the sun - they're inside burrows during the day - so you can't say 111 isn't too hot for an animal that doesn't bask in the sun.

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but i still can not hurt if they have a spot that is nice and cool. right????

good temp if your eating BP for dinner.