Thermometer is not a thermostat!

[Monty's_Mom]

I have been a member for only months and this already drives me nuts!! A thermometer and a thermostat are very different devices!

Understanding terminology, semantics, acronyms and abbreviations is understandably a learning process for this hobby. Trying to get the message across about the difference and importance of two words that have different definitions/meanings gets frustrating. I applaud the veterans here who have the time and patience to go over it again and again.

A thermometer only reads the temperature. That is all it does, nothing else. It tells you temperature, like getting checked if you have a fever because you are sick.

A thermostat reads the temperature and makes sure it doesn't get too warm or too cold. The lever "thingy" on the wall you move because you are too cold or too warm in your house is a thermostat! It reads the temperature and you can adjust it.

There is not such thing as a hydrometer in herpetology! A hydrometer is most often used by a person making their own beer, wine and cider. Any other person using a hydrometer is getting paid for their biology/chemistry degree.

A HYGROmeter measures the humidity. A thermometer measures temperature. A thermostat measures temperature AND keeps a near constant temperature just like the thermostat in your home!

New and ignorant people need to remember this. Ignorant people need to remember that the definition of ignorant is a lack of knowledge. Reducing ignorance is reading and asking for clarification. I always say ignorance can be cured but never by being spoon fed.

There is a lot of knowledge and science involved in keeping reptiles. Treat it like a lifelong science experiment. Advice for concerns is only as good as the information BP.net members can read. Be very specific and don't worry about the length. Get the words right the first time. Use the search function because someone yesterday or last week, last month, last year asked something very similar. Good people are here but they get frustrated if/when others don't show a willingness to read and learn.

[FluppleWott]

Amen lol. I thought it was common knowledge in the herp world what these things were. Evidently not!

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[BCS]

The problem with your statement is that not everyone has heard of a HYDROmeter and the fact that they both deal with liquid readings could possibly get them confused.

Unfortunately thermometer and thermostat get used in the same sentence A LOT so to get them switch around is very easy. Sure it is confusing but obviously you know what they are talking about if you can correct them with out asking what they are trying to say... it is fine to correct people but to get upset at something so simple is little as a mix up of words is a little harsh.

Also, your little rant wont reach everyone and you will probably still have to correct people.

[KMG]

wont reach everyone and you will probably still have to correct people.

That's what gets me. The answers are here but people don't use the search feature before asking the same question that has been asked a million times.

I have seen it many times where the person had no clue what a tstat is, or does. That always bothered me because it shows just how little they researched.

[distaff]

Not everyone here speaks English as their first language.
Even if well informed, someone might get the terms mixed up.

[BCS]

That's what gets me. The answers are here but people don't use the search feature before asking the same question that has been asked a million times.

I have seen it many times where the person had no clue what a tstat is, or does. That always bothered me because it shows just how little they researched.

Nobody ever searches something they "think" they know. For the longest time I myself did not use a thermostat when I got my very first snake. Have you ever been to Petsmart and grabbed one of their pet care pamphlets. Yes well, anyway, that is where I got my first bit of knowledge on how to care for my corn snake. It did not mention anything about a thermostat or about needing two hides... so honestly, you cannot sit there and say they are not doing enough research when they think they are getting all the information they need from one source. Especially kids who probably do not know any better.

And yea, I am probably one of those who will repeat a question that is already on this site. First off, searching for what you want to know "exactly" usually doesn't bring up exactly what you are looking for. Then there is also the change of how things are done. Last year people strongly believed to feed your snakes outside of the enclosure while today, it is not a common practice. These types of things change all the time. New brands pop up, new equipment pops up, new ways to use the equipment pops up, you name it.

Keep in mind that the internet was never a source for information. Keeping ball pythons as pets is older then the internet so they got their information else where back then. Even if I have internet at my fingers it is not my only place to find information on everything and it is not always reliable.

[PitOnTheProwl]

That's how this came about.

[Ax01]

it gets cold here in the winter. do my snakes need a thermos?

[DennisM]

well, whether a newbie asks a question that has already been answered countless times annoys someone or not; I think it's good that they are asking. And yes, it would be nice if they searched first, but they may not yet know their way around the site or be familiar with the significance of stickys. I don't bother to read the threads that are a rehash of the same old questions, plenty of other members will reply with the appropriate response.

[KMG]

Nobody ever searches something they "think" they know. For the longest time I myself did not use a thermostat when I got my very first snake. Have you ever been to Petsmart and grabbed one of their pet care pamphlets. Yes well, anyway, that is where I got my first bit of knowledge on how to care for my corn snake. It did not mention anything about a thermostat or about needing two hides... so honestly, you cannot sit there and say they are not doing enough research when they think they are getting all the information they need from one source. Especially kids who probably do not know any better.

And yea, I am probably one of those who will repeat a question that is already on this site. First off, searching for what you want to know "exactly" usually doesn't bring up exactly what you are looking for. Then there is also the change of how things are done. Last year people strongly believed to feed your snakes outside of the enclosure while today, it is not a common practice. These types of things change all the time. New brands pop up, new equipment pops up, new ways to use the equipment pops up, you name it.

Keep in mind that the internet was never a source for information. Keeping ball pythons as pets is older then the internet so they got their information else where back then. Even if I have internet at my fingers it is not my only place to find information on everything and it is not always reliable.

Yes, I can sit here and say reading a information page from a pet store is not enough research. Obviously if they join here all they have to do is start browsing threads to learn everything they need to know. A kid should never be allowed to buy a pet without a parents oversight.

Last year it was common practice to feed outside their cages? No, no it was not. I have been a member here a few years now and it has never been the norm to feed outside.