Am I going crazy?!

[herbiethechameleon]

Yes because your UVB bulb also produces UVA. UVA light wavelengths regulate everything from appetite to activity and mating behaviors. UVB wavelengths allows for natural D3 synthesis in the body. When this is off their body will actually pull calcium from the bones to try to compensate. You can see this also when supplementation is wrong. So having the UVI at a 3ish level is what you are looking for. UVI is the index measurement of the bulb pertaining to the UVB output.

If your distance is too far away he is not able to get close enough to get what he needs. This includes if your highest basking branches are covered by plants so that they block the light he gets on the branch. This lighting does not penetrate through plants the same. The plants reduce the output. So in a cage top basking needs to be unobstructed then as they move down into the plants the UVI reduces naturally the same way it does in the wild.

Then if UVI is too high you can have health issues as well. So this is where stronger bulbs can be a major health risk if the distance to the branch is not adjusted to reduce exposure levels.

Alright here are the updated branch levels, and I have shower curtains on all sides as well as on the front panel I have like a window plastic sealant (realized I didn’t answer that question previously)

 

[herbiethechameleon]

Alright here are the updated branch levels, and I have shower curtains on all sides as well as on the front panel I have like a window plastic sealant (realized I didn’t answer that question previously)

May need to move that one stick a little higher up, trying to find my measuring tape, but I also decreased the temp in the studio so it’s about 69 degrees ambient. I really appreciate all the help, I knew in my gut it was probably more of a husbandry issue so I’m glad I reached out here instead of take him to the vet for another blood draw. But if he continues to decline over the next couple of days I will schedule a visit

 

[MzLaurie]

Since you have increased the humidity, when is the last time you soaked all the hoses and containers of both the fogger and mister. They get bacteria and mold buildup. If you have a dishwasher you can use that too with the high heat. As it usually kills contaminants.

 

[herbiethechameleon]

Since you have increased the humidity, when is the last time you soaked all the hoses and containers of both the fogger and mister. They get bacteria and mold buildup. If you have a dishwasher you can use that too with the high heat. As it usually kills contaminants.

I wash my fogger once a month but I haven’t soaked the hoses of anything, is that something you do with your things? The hose is plastic for the fogger so I don’t think it can go in the dishwasher

 

[MzLaurie]

I wash my fogger once a month but I haven’t soaked the hoses of anything, is that something you do with your things? The hose is plastic for the fogger so I don’t think it can go in the dishwasher

Well I don’t have a dishwadher so I use a couple capfuls of bleach in the water in a large bowl and weight the hoses down. Yes they get bacteria in them.

 

[herbiethechameleon]

Well I don’t have a dishwadher so I use a couple capfuls of bleach in the water in a large bowl and weight the hoses down. Yes they get bacteria in them.

That’s a great idea! Thanks!

 

[Beman]

Alright here are the updated branch levels, and I have shower curtains on all sides as well as on the front panel I have like a window plastic sealant (realized I didn’t answer that question previously)

Ok the plastic sealant your using. Is the front service door open with all screen or do you have it there too? If you do have it there you need to remove it from the front bottom service panel that runs along the bottom. The air has to be able to move into the cage and up out the top with the chimney effect. Without this you have a cage that will build up with stagnant air which can create respiratory issues along with bacteria growth.

 

[herbiethechameleon]

Ok the plastic sealant your using. Is the front service door open with all screen or do you have it there too? If you do have it there you need to remove it from the front bottom service panel that runs along the bottom. The air has to be able to move into the cage and up out the top with the chimney effect. Without this you have a cage that will build up with stagnant air which can create respiratory issues along with bacteria growth.

I did everything you suggested and Herbie is a brand new chameleon. Literally night and day difference. He walks around all day like a normal chameleon and goes to bed a bit early (around 4) but he is active during the day and I’m so relieved THANK you

 

[Beman]

I did everything you suggested and Herbie is a brand new chameleon. Literally night and day difference. He walks around all day like a normal chameleon and goes to bed a bit early (around 4) but he is active during the day and I’m so relieved THANK you

Very happy to hear. Still keep an eye on him. Depending on your light on/off cycle 4pm might not actually be too early if lights are kicking off at 6. My boy has always gone to his sleeping spot about 2 hours before lights kick off. he never goes to bed just gets into position.

 

[herbiethechameleon]

Very happy to hear. Still keep an eye on him. Depending on your light on/off cycle 4pm might not actually be too early if lights are kicking off at 6. My boy has always gone to his sleeping spot about 2 hours before lights kick off. he never goes to bed just gets into position.

Okay good to know! He kind of goes into the corner and faces away from me so I can’t really tell but his tail is curled at around 4 so it’s possible that he is just hanging out but I will check

 

[herbiethechameleon]

Very happy to hear. Still keep an eye on him. Depending on your light on/off cycle 4pm might not actually be too early if lights are kicking off at 6. My boy has always gone to his sleeping spot about 2 hours before lights kick off. he never goes to bed just gets into position.

His light dark cycle is lights on at 6:30 am and lights off at 6:30

 

[Beman]

His light dark cycle is lights on at 6:30 am and lights off at 6:30

Yeah so that would not be abnormal then. He should not be falling asleep with lights on unless you have an extremely planted out cage that is blocking light. But going to his sleeping spot and getting in position is not abnormal at all with a tail curl.

 

[herbiethechameleon]

Yeah so that would not be abnormal then. He should not be falling asleep with lights on unless you have an extremely planted out cage that is blocking light. But going to his sleeping spot and getting in position is not abnormal at all with a tail curl.

Okay, I am going to check him tonight and see if he is just hanging out at his spot or if he is actually sleeping.