80 deg F and 80% relative humidity in the shady spot is monitored closely, then spot checks taken for the other warmer and more "sunny" spots. My temps at night range from 72-90F and during the day go from about 80-95F with the highest and lowest being small-ish areas.
In case you haven't heard and no one has as yet let you know....those type thermometers are notorious for being intermittently inaccurate. I, myself, had 3 in same area of enclosure to test the ones i had and they all read differently, on different days. The digital with remote probe is best, i think, because the actual device doesn't have to be exposed to the high humidity and it's always on so you can walk by and read temp on the go. I like the other pics...
@teresaf Thanks for your response! Yep, I don't use this thing as a sole measurement device- it is meant to tell me if there are any changes, that's all. I have relatively large enclosures, about 4 1/2 feet x 5 1/2 feet x 18 inches high, so I have to use a good (about $100) infrared spot thermometer to check the various places around the habitat. I have hot-wet, hot-drier, cooler-damp, cooler-drier, and some open areas that change as the sun moves through the rooms. I check at least twice per day since I recently lost a baby and want to make sure my temps were not contributing to the the baby rescues illness or discomfort.
I appreciate the time you took to reach out and verify this information for me, thanks so much,
Karen
@Oxalis I have some temp sensor wands stuck and hung in the air in various places in the tort's tables, just to do some spot checks. http://tinyurl.com/pb6973c
Then I used an infrared to spot check in "Average" mode, to check their foot and shell temperatures throughout the day, when I get up, and just before I sleep- sometimes I even check spot temps in the middle of the night, but don't like to disturb them.
I had a really sick baby earlier this year who passed away after 3 different vets couldn't do anything, and after trying to get him to eat, etc.
I can't shake the doubt and associated guilt that I should've kept him (his air from above the table) warmer at night, during the final 3 weeks of his life, even though I "think" what made him sick was the dead animal he ate part of before I could get to him and take it away, and 3 different experienced vets told me that eating dead animals when they have been kept in captivity their entire lives is likely to do some serious damage to their gut flora and intestinal tract. Now I am kind of obsessive about temps for my two remaining rescues...
@Mantissa3 I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. I can completely understand the obsession. It sounds like it was the carrion was what did it; it's not your fault at all. It's wonderful that you're so dedicated. I wish we had more tortoise keepers like you!
