**1.4 Infrared technology**

Not too long ago, infrared technology was out of reach of the scientific community. Cameras with infrared (IR) imaging were large, poorly maneuverable as field equipment, and expensive. However, it is currently possible to obtain hand held thermal cameras for under \$2,000. The introduction of smaller, manageable, and relatively inexpensive equipment has opened the gates for biologists to begin using infrared imaging in their research. Already a number of experiments have validated their use and lauded their capability to be invaluable to research. Thermal images can be obtained to document the variation on an organism's body surface owing to different types and properties of insulation, or other thermal or physiological properties of an organism's body. This provides researchers with added insight on both the physiological and behavioral effects that solar radiative heat gain may have on thermoregulatory responses of animals.
