Temperature perception in humans

[seangee]

Today I was reminded that this is something we are not very good at. Today was pleasantly warm in this corner of our little island. This evening I engaged in a little therapeutic aquarium gardening. When I stuck my hand in the community tank my first thought was the heaters weren't working properly. So I stuck the other hand into the nano. Uh oh my tanks are definitely too cool. Dug out the food thermometer which I know is spot on - and the tanks were just fine. Yet only a few weeks ago they felt decidedly warm on my hands.

 

[MaloK]

If you went just a little cold... Everything will seem hotter, the opposite as much... Sometimes I double check myself with a thermometer loll.

 

[Back in the fold]

Interesting . I feel that at times too . The water feels cold to the touch but it’s the right temperature . Another mystery to solve .

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I fill buckets and cans from both a bathtub and, in the fish-space, a utility sink. I am pretty good at telling the temp by putting my hand in to the water coming from the faucet. But, that is where it gets weird. Putting either hand under the water each feels different it being a different temperature. My right hand is more accurate and feels the water warmer. The left hand feels it cooler. I am pretty accurate to a degree or two when I set it between 77 - 86F because I have come to know how cool or warm 86 should feel as well as 77 based on which hand I use..

I have no clue why there is a difference between the what two hands feel.

 

[fishorama]

I dunno, I'm pretty close to temp when doing water change refills. Not so much just sticking my hand in a tank but I can match it within 0.5- 1.5 degree by feel. Unless I have very delicate fish that's more than close enough.

 

[GaryE]

I can tell temperature by touch, but if I couldn't after 58 years of fishkeeping, I'd wonder. I can adjust to ambient temperatures with that. My mind does the calculation now.

I do know that in October, I wore my favourite grey jacket when it got down to 5 degrees outside, for quick scoots across the yard to the fishroom/garage. By January, I would go over in a t-shirt if it was above -10, and throw the jacket on only if it was cold out. My body had a completely different idea of what cold is. In late February people are walking around in shorts with snow in the ground. Below freezing isn't that cold anymore.

I remember working in a hotel and stepping outside to let the 6c spring temperatures wake me up, since I was on the graveyard shift. Inuit guys staying there would come out and visibly sweat while asking me how southerners could live with the heat like that.

So our perceptions really change as we get used to different environments, and that has to affect touch.

 

[Naughts]

I think we can tell near enough within a couple of degrees. We know if someone has a fever just by touch - that can be the difference between 37 and 39.

I think the phenomenon you are describing is that in winter our skin is cool so the water at 24ish feels comparatively warm, and in the summer our skin is warm and 24 feels comparatively cool.