Properly measuring belly heat

[daver676]

Can I assume that placing my thermometer probe on top of the substrate over the UTH that I will get an accurate belly temperature? I wonder this because if you put some weight on the substrate (like your hand), then it feels hotter. What do you think?

[BoidKeeper]

I usually press it down and lightly hold it for a bit. Even when I use my laser thermometer I push down on the new paper and then take the temp. The snake doesn't hover so your reasoning of placing you hand down and noticing the temp increas is bang on. I'd hold the probe directly on the surface so it contacts the hot spot like the snake would.
Cheers,
Trevor

[mykee]

Yeah, I noticed when I had substrate that could be moved (chips, or barks) the balls really like to get into it, and most of the time, will actually lay on the bottom of the enclosure. The temps on the top of the substrate can be up to 15 degrees cooler than the actual bottom, so be VERY careful.