Heating question

[L.West]

I am firing up a rack to house my new Honduran Milk snakes. My question is since I using aspen bedding should I read the temp with my temp gun on the surface of the aspen or on the floor of the tub

I am getting 85 degrees at the top of the aspen but as high as 98 on tub surface

Please advise.

Thanks

[PitOnTheProwl]

Always the surface they can touch.
They do burrow....

[L.West]

Thanks. I thought that was the case but wanted to double check. Appreciate it.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

What pit said, you want to take the temp right above the surface of the tub not above the substrate.