basking BODY temperature

[dodolah]

what is the normal basking body temperature for veiled chameleons?
(I know as far as basking spot it should be around 87 to 95 F).

before, I always wonder why he keep gaping under an 85 F basking spot.
But now, as I own an infra red temp gun, I realize that even though the basking spot is 85, but his actual body temp (especially along his dorsal) literally reach to 110 F (especially when he darken his color).

Should I move the basking spot higher? (i use 75 watt zoomed basking spot lamp)
or do I let him gape like that.. for some reason, even though it's obviously too hot, he just too lazy to move to a cooler spot.

Thanks guys

 

[Dave Weldon]

Howdy,

I know what you mean aobut basking vs. body temp . When mine bask outside with the air temp around 70F, their body temp may be 100F. It seems that my panther will tend to head for the shade in his plants while the veiled will continue to soak-up the rays. I have measured the veiled's direct skin above 100F but I haven't had a chance to measure his temp when he sometimes moves out of the full sun. Same goes for their inside enclosures. With a 75W flood, they can get pretty close to 100F depending on their coloring and positioning and whether or not a plant has grown into the way o).

 

[Justin Carl]

i noticed the same thing myself.
i didnt worry about it to much b/c
if it bothered him, he would go down
the mid-section of the cage. my veiled
is very active and likes to wonder and exlore
his cage. i found his body temperature around
101 at one point of time. these things happen
in nature so i ouldnt worry to much. the sun is
very intense, look what it does to your skin.

 

[Chase]

what is the normal basking body temperature for veiled chameleons?
(I know as far as basking spot it should be around 87 to 95 F).

before, I always wonder why he keep gaping under an 85 F basking spot.
But now, as I own an infra red temp gun, I realize that even though the basking spot is 85, but his actual body temp (especially along his dorsal) literally reach to 110 F (especially when he darken his color).

Should I move the basking spot higher? (i use 75 watt zoomed basking spot lamp)
or do I let him gape like that.. for some reason, even though it's obviously too hot, he just too lazy to move to a cooler spot.

Thanks guys

How far away is the Chameleon away from the heat?

 

[dodolah]

How far away is the Chameleon away from the heat?

8" from the top

 

[Chase]

8" from the top

Maybe move the light higher if its on the side. Is it on top of the encloser?

 

[dodolah]

Maybe move the light higher if its on the side. Is it on top of the encloser?

yes. on top of the cage.
if i move it higher, the basking temp spot drops to 80F (and he turns darker indicating he needs the heat)

as a clarification, I'm measuring his body temperature (specifically along his spine), not the environment.
I wonder if the 110 F body temperature is OK for him.

 

[Chase]

yes. on top of the cage.
if i move it higher, the basking temp spot drops to 80F (and he turns darker indicating he needs the heat)

as a clarification, I'm measuring his body temperature (specifically along his spine), not the environment.
I wonder if the 110 F body temperature is OK for him.

Hmmmm, This doesn't make sense. I don't understand how the temp of the body is so high if the basking is way lower. Maybe use a different watt light?

 

[dodolah]

Hmmmm, This doesn't make sense. I don't understand how the temp of the body is so high if the basking is way lower. Maybe use a different watt light?

veiled darken their skin to absorbs heat into their body.
Kind of like you wearing a black shirt in the noon will feel hotter than wearing a white shirt.
I know that the actual temp of a veiled under basking spot is actually hotter than the environment's basking temp.

That's why i hesitate advising people to have a very high basking temp (over 100 F)
I found that 87 F basking spot temp (w/ 75 watt light) is able to get veiled's body temp over a 100 F.
I was wondering about the optimal basking body temp for veiled.
Anybody has ever read about that in a book or something?

 

[JimNPHX]

This is a really interesting thread! I was getting ready to post some questions similar . . .
I use the Zilla combo (temp/humidity) gauge for all my cages. I never seem to get a constant reading for a high temp. The gauge probes are all 8" from light source, yet I get different temp readings on each one. I have tried adjusting heights on each and it has just gotten frustrating! I like the idea of measuring the body temp. Ultimately this is what we are really concerned with correct?

So, if I cannot get accurate / constant temps with my gauges, what should the body temps be while basking? (M/F Veileds and 1 Jackson Xanth) I realize the Jackson does not need as high of a basking temp . . .


Also, could it be the life of the bulb (or quality) that is causing the fluctuation of temp readings?

Thanks

Jim

 

[dodolah]

Howdy,

I know what you mean aobut basking vs. body temp . When mine bask outside with the air temp around 70F, their body temp may be 100F. It seems that my panther will tend to head for the shade in his plants while the veiled will continue to soak-up the rays. I have measured the veiled's direct skin above 100F but I haven't had a chance to measure his temp when he sometimes moves out of the full sun. Same goes for their inside enclosures. With a 75W flood, they can get pretty close to 100F depending on their coloring and positioning and whether or not a plant has grown into the way o).

Mine goes to 76 F when he's hiding under foliage.
It seems he will start basking again when he drops his body temp to 71 F during the day.