There are various useful thermometers used in tortoise husbandry, and they are an essential part of temperature management. Never rely on a thermostat alone; always keep an eye on the temperature with good-quality thermometers as well.
Probe thermometers
These include, first of all, digital probe thermometers, used to measure temperatures in the cold frame soil or at tortoise height. Thermometers of this kind are also used when stabilising a refrigerator at brumation temperatures.
Infrared thermometers
There are also infrared thermometers, which can be used to measure temperature without contact, for example at shell height. Infrared thermometers are also important for hanging the UV basking spot at the correct height.
Radio thermometers
Radio thermometers allow temperature to be monitored in cold frames, for example, or in brumation boxes in the refrigerator. A base station with a temperature alarm is useful here, warning when defined limits are exceeded or undershot.
Smart thermometers
An even higher level of safety is offered by smart thermometers. These send their readings to a gateway, from which the data is transmitted to the internet. If the set temperature range is exceeded or undershot, an alarm goes straight to your smartphone.
Example: if the temperature in the cold frame rises to 38 °C, you are notified immediately and know that you need to ventilate and shade.
Placement
Sensors should always be placed at tortoise height; it is best to fix them in the shade, inside a hiding plant, to get realistic readings. The thermometer should not be placed in the airflow of the greenhouse heater used for the base temperature.