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Infrared thermography was used to image changes in cutaneous temperature during a conditioned fear response to context. Changes in heart rate, arterial pressure, activity and body (i.p.) temperature were recorded at the same time by radio‐telemetry, in addition to freezing immobility. A marked drop in tail and paws temperature (−5.3 and −7.5 °C, respectively, down to room temperature), which lasted for the entire duration of the response (30 min), was observed in fear‐conditioned rats. In sham‐conditioned rats, the drop was on average half the magnitude and duration. In contrast, temperature of the eye, head and back increased (between + 0.8 and + 1.5 °C), with no difference between the two groups of rats. There was a similar increase in body temperature although it was slightly higher and delayed in the fear‐conditioned animals. Finally, ending of the fear response was associated with a gradual …