Got the temp gun - basking temp?

Jami

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Hi all,

Got the NuBee temp gun from amazon. I love this thing!! It's very good. Now I'm not sure if my basking temp is high enough for my hatchling. The petco thermometer I had on the floor of basking area read 90 - 92. The temp gun reads 88.6.. The gun says to give or take a degree. The temp goes down to 71 at the other end. So I've got good variations going on.

Some people say hatchling basking spot needs to be height. Others say 80s. What do you all say? I'm leaning towards high 80s but want your opinions. Oh and his burrow registered 76 but that was under the hut and the merc vap light had been on for 7 hours. Again, it was under the hut too.

Still deciding on his name. Thanks!
 

Jami

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Sorry - supposed to say hatchling temps supposed to be high...
 

tglazie

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I would say ninety to ninety five is good for a basking spot. I only keep mine indoors for the winter, but I've noticed that if the spot is lower than ninety, the torts tend to just sit under the lamp and eat, doing nothing else. If it is ninety or above, they bask for an hour or two, then start going about a regular routine.

T.G.
 

Jami

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I would say ninety to ninety five is good for a basking spot. I only keep mine indoors for the winter, but I've noticed that if the spot is lower than ninety, the torts tend to just sit under the lamp and eat, doing nothing else. If it is ninety or above, they bask for an hour or two, then start going about a regular routine.

T.G.
Thanks for the input. He ate a little. He was basking for a while and has been exploring and trying to get thru the glass except where I put paper inside.
 

tglazie

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Typical hatchling behavior. So you know he's a he? When I got my first hatchling sulcata, not my first tortoise, but certainly my first hatchling, I didn't know he was a he, so I named him Jerry. That sort of became the tradition with hatchlings for me after that. Unisex names. Problem was that there are only so many unisex names.

T.G.
 

Jami

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:D
Typical hatchling behavior. So you know he's a he? When I got my first hatchling sulcata, not my first tortoise, but certainly my first hatchling, I didn't know he was a he, so I named him Jerry. That sort of became the tradition with hatchlings for me after that. Unisex names. Problem was that there are only so many unisex names.

T.G.
Hi. No, I definitely don't know for sure he's a he. I guess I won't for a long time. But I'm hoping he's a he, but will be totally fine if he's a she...I just got tired of typing he/she or calling him an it. Our first hatchlings name was HermIt just as something funny between me & hubby. HermIt died and this one is a replacement from the breeder, tortoise supply, because of the fluke with HermIt. Our other pets are all girls with girl names, so I wanted to do something different. I'll decide in the next few days (I hope). Sorry - long explanation for a simple question...I could've just said, no of course I don't know. But what's the fun in that? :D
 

wellington

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The puck/disc type thermometer that Petco's and petsmart usually sell are not worth a dime, so if that's what you are using, would pitch it and get a digital one from a Home Depot or hardware store. However, I would trust the temp guns reading and raise your temps some.
 

Jami

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The puck/disc type thermometer that Petco's and petsmart usually sell are not worth a dime, so if that's what you are using, would pitch it and get a digital one from a Home Depot or hardware store. However, I would trust the temp guns reading and raise your temps some.
Ok. That sounds like the plan then. I should want it to be around 90-95 in the basking spot even tho he's a baby, right?

Thank you! I'm liking this temp gun a lot!
 

Flipper

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Excellent! I'm happy you you like your new gun :)

Congrats on your new baby :<3::tort::<3:
 

Jami

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Excellent! I'm happy you you like your new gun :)

Congrats on your new baby :<3::tort::<3:
Thanks! He's so funny and so cute! So very different from my poor sick one. I really like this temp gun. It's very cool!
 

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