Ok, just to be clear everyone keeps using the word thermometer. You really need a thermoSTAT to control your hotspot heating element (UTH, bulb) otherwise your hotspot will fluctuate with your ambient temp. And the animal can easily get too hot or be incapable of warming itself sufficiently. Spyder Robotics has a good one. but you can find even zilla brand thermostats at petsmart that will do the job.