Are black light heat lamps safe for chameleons?

[reptileman]

Hey guys I recenly have moved my chameleons outside but the weather here where I live fluxuates so much due to beach climate that sometimes at night it gets in the 50s and I have been told that that is too cold for panther chameleons. I have looked to get a heat source for them on these cold nights and have found black heat lights that dont emit light. Just heat. They would only be used in times when the temp gets in the low to mid 50s if it ever got lower than 50 I would move them inside. I just was wondering if these lights are safe to use on panther chameleons when the low temps are in.

 

[summoner12]

I wouldn't use any 'heat source' that resembles a light bulb. Ceramic heaters are a good bet if you need it. panthers hitting the mid to upper 50's should be OK if it isn't daily and they are able to get to full 'operating' temp during the day.

I'd check out ReptileUV's heat projector before anything else. for the cost, I think it would be your best bet. I say this because ceramic heaters get hot, reallllllly hot, but don't project the heat.

 

[SoCaliSon]

That thing looks sweet Kevin... I haven't seen those yet.

Back when I really started getting into chameleons I tried using heating outside with chameleons over night before for your exact reasons... I ran into a lot of difficulty.

You will need to use a thermostat of some type... and you will want to make sure that your thermostat temp probe is placed on the screen of the cage, between your Heat source and where the cham would sleep. If not... and the probe is far enough for your heat source to pump out unhealthy amounts of heat in order to achieve the target at the therm probe, then you run the risk of cooking a chameleon that may have fallen asleep closer to the heat source than where the probe is placed. If you catch my drift.

I learned the hard way and burned the tail of a chameleon this way.

I have also seen heating panels... Maybe that could be a way to go.

Have fun!
~Joe

 

[jrh3]

You might want to check the uv output of the blacklight. I was always told it is too much for a chameleon. i have never verified it but if i was gonna use a black light i would make sure.

 

[Lancecham]

In the past, I have used blacklight to heat outdoor enclosures with mixed results. Sure you can provide the heat, but chams have their favorite spots to sleep and if it isn't near the light, then it doesn't really do any good. You could move them towards the light, but usually they will go back to their favorite spot.
As Kevin said, mid to upper 50's are fine for a panther, providing it warms up during the day and that your cage placement is such that it will get the first rays of sun light.