Baby jacksons chameleon sleeping during the day.

[Maddogg739]

My baby jacksons chameleon has been sleeping alot more during the day these past couple days & I know that means that things are incorrectly set up or that there are problems so I'm seeing what everyone thinks of my setup and what I could do to best help him. I know the cage he's in is alittle big for him rn but he gets around really good & will grow into it eventually. whatever you can recommend or help me with though I'd greatly appreciate it. Info:
* Cage Type - 16x16x30 Zoomed screen cage
* Lighting - I'm using a exoterra 13w uvb 100 bulb for the uvb and for basking I'm using a 40w household bulb * Temperature - top of the cage is usually 80-85 with the middle and lower being in the 75-70, & the temperature at night is usually 60-64 but always stays in the 60's
* Humidity - Humidity levels are always about 60-65 just gotta buy a better hydrometer since the one I'm using now seems off somedays. & maintaining these with 5 live plants,misting and a cool mist humidifier going while I'm at work or when I feel like it needs it.
* Plants - Live plants are a dracaena, wandering jew plant, pothos, yucca but it's about dead so either will take out or replace with a more lively one, and a luna croton plant.
* Location - The location of the cage is next to a window but it's always closed and has a blanket covering it so he doesn't look outside.
Chameleon Info:
* Your Chameleon - Male Jackson's chameleon, he's about 2-3 months old I believe.
* Feeding - I've been feeding him fruit flies and 1 week old crickets but mainly the fruit flies. usually 4-6 per day. has been alittle picky and hard feeding. I use calcium without d3 every other day. Gut loading the crickets with fruits and left over stuff like that & just been putting small pieces of fruit or honey with the fruit flies.
* Supplements - Zoomed repticalcium with d3 & without d3. haven't used the d3 yet just been using the without since I've only had him for 2 weeks now. I used the without d3 every other day though.
* Watering - Misting and I have a dripper going 24/7. I see him drinking after misting alot but have yet to see him drink from the dripper.
* Fecal Description - the top portion was pretty white with a small hue of yellow but not drastically.
* History - Haven't had him for long so not much to say here.
* Current Problem - He's been sleeping a decent amount during the day. tried messing with his lighting to see if it was maybe just blinding him but still doesn't seem to be the case. gonna take him to the vet in the next couple days but I just wanna see what feedback everyone can give me.

 

[kinyonga]

Welcome to the forum.

@JacksJill knows a lot more about jacksons than I do.

Where do you live...we just need the state or province or such to see the climate.

 

[Maddogg739]

Welcome to the forum.

@JacksJill knows a lot more about jacksons than I do.

Where do you live...we just need the state or province or such to see the climate.

I live the Us, Illinois to be exact

 

[cyberlocc]

Right off the bat, you have the wrong UVB light, that UVB light will cause Eye irritation, as it is a very concentrated beam and spot point of UV light.

Your cham may not be sleeping at all, but rather closing its eyes, to hide from that light. You would too, look at it for a few minutes, it doesnt take long, you will get Welders Flash Eye, its not fun, feels like you have sand in your eyes.

Get a Linear UVB lamp, ASAP.

Try to check, next time he is doing that, and see if only the one eye is closed, that doesn't look like a sleeping cham to me, it looks like a Cham, trying to shut its eye as hard as it can to get rid of the pain from that light.


Edit: I missed where you said you tested it, Welders flash burn effect doesn't go away quickly, it lasts for a few hours or a few days, sadly I know from first hand experience. So try and see if its only one eye.

Either way, that light has to go.

 

[Maddogg739]

Right off the bat, you have the wrong UVB light, that UVB light will cause Eye irritation, as it is a very concentrated beam and spot point of UV light.

Your cham may not be sleeping at all, but rather closing its eyes, to hide from that light. You would too, look at it for a few minutes, it doesnt take long, you will get Welders Flash Eye, its not fun, feels like you have sand in your eyes.

Get a Linear UVB lamp, ASAP.

Try to check, next time he is doing that, and see if only the one eye is closed, that doesn't look like a sleeping cham to me, it looks like a Cham, trying to shut its eye as hard as it can to get rid of the pain from that light.


Edit: I missed where you said you tested it, Welders flash burn effect doesn't go away quickly, it lasts for a few hours or a few days, sadly I know from first hand experience.

Either way, that light has to go.

Yeah figured it had something to do with the lighting, thanks for informing me of that. definitely don't want that to happen so once I go to the petshop tomorrow I'll be grabbing one of those lights & changing it right as I get home. yeah I get what your saying though did seem a bit bright tbh. should I still let it run tomorrow while I go and get the new lighting or just keep it off for the little while. really appreciate the replies and help

 

[cyberlocc]

Yeah figured it had something to do with the lighting, thanks for informing me of that. definitely don't want that to happen so once I go to the petshop tomorrow I'll be grabbing one of those lights & changing it right as I get home. yeah I get what your saying though did seem a bit bright tbh. should I still let it run tomorrow while I go and get the new lighting or just keep it off for the little while. really appreciate the replies and help

It's not really the brightness, that's a problem as much as the Ray's that it puts out.

It puts out very concretrated, UVA and UVB in a small area of hotspotting, which is really really bad for the eyes.

Just wanted to point that out, so you don't worry about using LEDs or something.


It should be fine, to go a day without it, so I would leave it off. Tommorow, and get a linear UVB fixture and bulb. A 5.0.