TECH CORNER
TH ERMAL I M A GI N G
SO ME LI K E IT HOT M AT T G O E T Z H E A D O F H ER PETO LO GY DEPA R TMENT
T HERMA L OR INFRARE D IMAG ING IS THE PR OC ESS OF TAKING D IG ITAL P ICTURE S WI T H A SPEC I ALIS E D CAME RA, WHICH REC OR DS I NF RARE D O R HE AT RAD IATIO N AS OPPOSED T O VIS IBLE LIG HT . Software in the camera converts the heat it ‘sees’ and makes it visible in a range of colours which correspond to a particular temperature which the image is calibrated to. The accurateness and availability of this technology in recent years has transformed the husbandry of reptiles and amphibians, which have very specific temperature requirements. We can record parameters in their wild environments and then accurately replicate them in the zoo environment to ensure the best animal welfare.
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