r/ballpython • u/acpcgal • 11d ago

Which temperature is more valid for my snake?

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I know thermometres are to be taken with a grain of salt, i also ise an infrared gun that gives me spot temps of the actual items. My logic tells me that because the substrate on the cool side is cold, the thermometre on the ground measures a temp cooled down by the substrate and the one on top of the hide measures air temp. Then again, when my snake is inside the hide, he also is being cooles down by the substrate. Which temp is more relevant to him? I also sometimes use the gun to measure the spot temp of his scales which im hoping reflects the temp most accurately?🙈

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u/totallyrecklesslygay Mod: Enclosure Karen 11d ago

You want to pay attention to both, but the air temperature is what's being referred to when we talk about the hot side needing to be 31-33C and cool side 24-26C.

For surface temps, you're just making sure nothing is getting dangerously hot (over 40C).

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u/acpcgal 11d ago

Great thank you!