Basking bulb question.....

[braboett]

Question 1
Is there such thing as too much uvb, and how would you know?

I have 1- 18" Reptisun 5.0 and 1- 60w blue daylight bulb in a 48" tall screen cage with vines about 8" away from top, they say they can be used together. http://www.reptileparadise.com/dry_heat.htm

Question 2
What does it mean when a chameleon moves his body horizontal (flat) under his basking light? He is a 7 month old male and his basking spot is about 88.

Thanks!

 

[SMeeth6031]

Hi I have an answer to Question 2. The reason why your chameleon is moving his body horizontally under the bulb is because it helps him to absorb more heat to keep his body warm. Chameleons are exothermic reptiles and require the outside source of heat to regulate their body temperature. If you notice that side of his body that is facing the bulb turning darker, that is also his way of absorbing the heat. As you probably know, the darker the object the more heat its going to absorb.

 

[braboett]

Does this mean I need to try and increase the basking spot temp, or leave it as it is and let him do his thing?

 

[SMeeth6031]

I take my chameleons to an exotic animal veterinarian and they recommend that right under the basking lamp, it should be about 95-100 degrees. You can do this by lowering your lamp if it isn't already sitting on top of your cage, or buying a higher wattage bulb. Your temp gauge should be placed right under the lamp as well so you can keep track of it throughout the day. The chameleon should move before he gets overheated. Also you should measure the temperature from where your chameleon sits to bask. This is where it should read 95-100 degrees

 

[braboett]

Interesting, I've heard that is way too hot.

 

[SMeeth6031]

Like I said I take them to a specialist so I go by what they say. My chameleons move as they please but they are both healthy. There shouldn't be one temperature throughout the cage. There should be a basking spot which is 95-100 degrees and a cool spot which should be no more than 85.

 

[carol5208]

Those temps are high, but Kammerflage Kreations, one of the most reputable breeders around, basks their chams at much higher temps than the forum recommends. Lets, put it this way: both are successful in raising healthy chameleons. If you see your chameleon gaping(with mouth wide open) then you may want to lower your temps. My cage temps ranges in the mid 70's and the basking temp is probably about 88-90 degrees. My chameleon also spends many hours out in the hot florida sun and he is fine. As long as they can cool down, that is key.