Bearded dragon thermometers
A thermometer is a testing apparatus used to measure temperature. It is a valuable and necessary accessory that can be used to indicate the immediate or environmental temperature of Bearded dragons and incubators.
Thermometers can either give readings in degrees Celsius (°C), degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or both. Bearded dragon owners often need thermometers to measure the inside temperatures of the enclosure. Thermometers are often used in combination with hygrometers to measure the relative humidity and/or thermostats to control electrical heat sources such as heat rocks and heat lamps.
The temperature reading on a thermometer is calculated through a sensor or probe. Most thermometers have an extendable probe which can be placed further away from the body of the thermometer itself (see later), while others have the sensor built-into it.
Thermometers are available from Amazon.com, electrical suppliers, general-purpose stores, specialised reptile pet shops and other online shops. See the links at the bottom of this article for some of our favourite online products.
Choosing a thermometer for Bearded dragons
When choosing a thermometer to be used for Bearded dragons, factors that need to be considered are the quality, price, function, size, reliability and durability.
The quality of a thermometer will give an indication of how well it can read the temperature. Characteristics that can indicate good quality is the brand the physical appearance and sometimes the price. Zoo Med and Exo-Terra are known for their reptile specific thermometers and other products. More expensive thermometers from known companies usually have better quality. The same goes for reliability and durability. In most cases the popularity of a thermometer will be an indication of its quality, reliability and durability, so make sure to look at reviews and ask other Bearded dragon keepers.
Smaller thermometers are generally favoured over larger ones. This means it is less visible and do not interfere with the aesthetics of display enclosures.
Design and function go hand-in-hand. The operating humidity must also be considered. For example, thermometers that are going to be used in incubators will either need to be waterproof or will need a probe. In these cases, aesthetics are often not that important.
Types of thermometers
There are mainly three types of thermometers – digital thermometers, analog thermometers and chemical thermometers. Digital thermometers will show the temperature reading on a little screen while analog thermometers have numbers printed on them. Chemical thermometers use a chemical substance, e.g. mercury or alcohol, to indicate the temperature on an incremental scale. All these thermometer types can be used to measure temperatures in a Bearded dragon enclosure, but each of them has their strengths and weaknesses.
Digital thermometers
Nowadays, digital thermometers are the most popular type of thermometer used for reptiles. Digital thermometers will need some form of power (e.g. batteries or electricity) to operate. They are larger (often bulky) and somewhat more expensive when compared with chemical thermometers (see later), but they are generally considered more accurate, easier to read and has a wider temperature reading. Care must be taken when using digital thermometers in moist environments, e.g. inside incubators, whereas chemical thermometers are generally made to be waterproof.
The Zoo Med Digital thermometer has an extendible probe and is popularly used in Bearded dragon enclosures. Available for Amazon.com.
Digital thermometers work with electrical components. The temperature is measured by a very small sensor inside the body of the main unit, telling an electrical microchip how to display the reading on a screen. Digital thermometers can be designed with or without a probe. A probe is basically a part connected to the sensor via a wire which can collect the temperature further away from the body of the thermometer. This allows the main unit of the thermometer to be placed outside, while the temperatures can still be measured on the inside of the enclosure or incubator.
Analog thermometers
Whereas digital thermometers need a power source (see earlier), analog thermometers do not. This means they can be used for longer periods without having to replace their batteries. The temperature reading of analog thermometers is indicated by the location of a dial on a scale.
Exo-Terra analog thermometer. Available from Amazon.com
Chemical thermometers
The temperature reading from chemical thermometers is directional to the expansion of the chemical composition inside the main body of the unit. It works on the principle that heat will expand this composition which makes it occupies more space. The inside of chemical thermometers are designed and calibrated so that the expansion of the chemical composition represents a temperature reading. The majority of the chemical used is placed on one side of the body – usually representing the lowest temperature reading while higher readings are indicated with lines further away from it. Higher temperatures will cause more expansion, which will push the position of the chemical composition to higher readings.
An example of a chemical thermometer. The chemical composition gets pushed up higher as the temperature increases and vice versa.
Because the chemical composition basically measures the temperature, chemical thermometers need to be placed inside the enclosure or incubator where the temperature is being measured. Fortunately, most chemical thermometers are safe to use in moist environments.
Using thermometers for keeping Bearded dragons
Thermometers are very handy tools for Bearded dragon keepers. They are used to measure temperatures inside keeping enclosures and incubators, and the temperatures of heating equipment such as heat rocks and overhead heat lamps. Depending on the type of thermometer used (see earlier), they can either be placed directly on the surface that is being measured or in its approximate vicinity.
Heating equipment should be tested during installation to make sure they supply the correct/desired amount of heat and then regularly/routinely throughout its use. While setting up a keeping enclosure it might be worth the effort to, for example, test the basking rock temperature before a spotlight fitting is permanently mounted or the temperature of a heat/hot rock is trusted. While the heating equipment is in use, the environmental and direct temperatures will also need regular testing. Some keepers will permanently mount a thermometer or two somewhere inside the enclosure to keep a constant eye on things.
Thermometers are also frequently used while incubating Bearded dragon eggs. The average incubation temperature is a very important factor in determining embryo viability, mold growth and the overall incubation period. Most incubators will have their own built-in thermometer, but an external one will work just as well for custom made incubators.
Temperature requirements for Bearded dragons
Some thermometers are limited with regards to their temperature readings. A thermometer made for measuring temperatures in, for example, a freezer will have no use if it can’t read temperatures of around freezing point. When choosing a thermometer to be used for Bearded dragons, higher temperature readings will be required (20 – 45 ºC / 75 – 114 ºF). The environmental temperature for Bearded dragons should have a 24 – 34 ºC / 75 – 93 ºF temperature gradient which should be maintained by the heat source. Anything higher than this is dangerous. Also see Bearded dragon temperatures for more information.
Related Bearded dragon products
Please support Bearded Dragon Care Info by using these links to purchase these awesome related products online from our partner websites. You can also use the Amazon.com or BangGood links to shop for other, non-Bearded dragon related products. Also see other ways to support Bearded Dragon Care Info. Links to other websites will open in a new window.
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