Black Coloring

[cushcameleon]

Both of my chameleons have been showing darker colors throughout the day for several weeks now. Sometimes, they become fully dark. I went into the vet for a normal checkup last week and the veterinarian confirmed my beliefs that both were very healthy and had no parasites; however, I am slightly uneasy because this does not seem normal. Currently my chameleons are in a bathroom with tile floors, the room is indeed much cooler then their other location (my dorm room in San Diego), it is typically low mid 70s and sometimes can reach high 60s. Both have heat lamps that are kept slightly hotter then normal (about 84-85 degrees), to compensate for the cooler room. Both are eating regularly, staying in the top of their cage, basking normally, drinking, passing normal fecals and acting healthy. There is a mirror in the bathroom that the chameleons may be able to see (even though it is far away and off to the side), I may drape a trashbag in front of the cage to block any possible views; although I am not convinced they can see any parts of it (they have not been showing aggresive/submissive/fighting behaviors, which makes me fairly sure they cannot see it clearly). Do you think it is an issue with temperature, the mirror or something else that I could be missing?

 

[SSimsswiSS]

Can they see each other?

 

[cushcameleon]

No, there is a solid black trash bag in between the two cages that prevents them from seeing each other. Also, I have noticed that when I open their cages to being feeding them, their brighter colors return almost immediately.

 

[SSimsswiSS]

No, there is a solid black trash bag in between the two cages that prevents them from seeing each other. Also, I have noticed that when I open their cages to being feeding them, their brighter colors return almost immediately.

Maybe there making like a trash bag. Can you see me now!

 

[cushcameleon]

there making like a trash bag.

I don't know what you mean by this? I know that chameleons don't try to "blend" with their environment, so I know their not trying to mock the color of the trash bags.

 

[cushcameleon]

I placed bags over the front of the cages and left them for several hours (to block out any possibilities of seeing the mirror), however the chameleons are still holding their dark/black colors. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am desperate for advice at the moment.

 

[jojackson]

Hows the lighting?

 

[Metric]

Have you moved their enclosures recently? or made any changes inside them? When I moved my Cham from his smaller enclosure to his large one he showed darker colours for a while.

 

[cushcameleon]

Hows the lighting?

Both have 60w lamps with basking temps around 85 (again, to compensate for cooler room temperature) and both have reptisun 5.0

 

[cushcameleon]

Have you moved their enclosures recently? or made any changes inside them? When I moved my Cham from his smaller enclosure to his large one he showed darker colours for a while.

I moved their cages about 3 weeks ago and readjusted the inside of them about 2 weeks ago. I have been taking them out more recently to get some sun, the first time I did so my rudis responded very well. He showed some great colors; however, the carpet still stays fairly dark even in the sun. My rudis also stayed dark the last time I took him out for some sun. Maybe they are just highly stressed. Should I just leave their cages alone for a couple weeks?

 

[GooglezNvincent]

I don't know what you mean by this? I know that chameleons don't try to "blend" with their environment, so I know their not trying to mock the color of the trash bags.

HA HA HA HA HA omfg im sorry i know this is serious because you are worried for your chams but i thought it was hilarious how steve was joking and you thought he was being serious. Best of luck figuring out whats going on, dont think there is anything major, might be something like change of environment.

 

[Metric]

I moved their cages about 3 weeks ago and readjusted the inside of them about 2 weeks ago. I have been taking them out more recently to get some sun, the first time I did so my rudis responded very well. He showed some great colors; however, the carpet still stays fairly dark even in the sun. My rudis also stayed dark the last time I took him out for some sun. Maybe they are just highly stressed. Should I just leave their cages alone for a couple weeks?

Its been about a month since i've moved my cham to his new cage and he's JUST starting to lighten up and become familiar with the "highways" of his new enclosure. He seemed to lighten up after a shedding session. If you're guys are eating/drininking normally, I'd give it some time before worrying, sometimes change in habitat can stress these little guys out alot.

 

[jojackson]

What is the preferred basking temp/gradient for the species? Are they screen type cages? How big are the cages?
Why are you increasing the basking temperature because the room is cooler?
They will simply bask more often or longer. How much cooler anyway?
Hotter basking temperatures than they are used to may be the cause, especially if the branch/vine etc on which they climb to bask is at the same distance from the lamp.

 

[cushcameleon]

HA HA HA HA HA omfg im sorry i know this is serious because you are worried for your chams but i thought it was hilarious how steve was joking and you thought he was being serious.

I don't know anyone personally on this forum, so it can be hard to sense sarcasm based off small text sentences. Everyone makes incorrect assumptions from time to time. See if you like it when someone jumps all over you for some simple mistake . I'm only human.

 

[cushcameleon]

What is the preferred basking temp/gradient for the species? Are they screen type cages? How big are the cages?
Why are you increasing the basking temperature because the room is cooler?
They will simply bask more often or longer. How much cooler anyway?
Hotter basking temperatures than they are used to may be the cause, especially if the branch/vine etc on which they climb to bask is at the same distance from the lamp.

The ideal basking temperature is low 80s (82 is ideal). They are both full screen cages with dimensions 16X15X24. I slightly increased the basking temperature in order to raise the temperature on the bottom, which became very cold during mistings (low 60s). I also slightly increased the basking temperature because at first I thought the chameleons were black because they were to cold. I am going to lower the basking temperatures back to 82 and give it some time.

 

[cushcameleon]

I just went and fixed the basking temps (positions of the heat lamps) and at first I saw my chameleon basking underneath it (he was still black). But once I began moving the light around, he noticed me and went from black to green.

 

[GooglezNvincent]

I don't know anyone personally on this forum, so it can be hard to sense sarcasm based off small text sentences. Everyone makes incorrect assumptions from time to time. See if you like it when someone jumps all over you for some simple mistake . I'm only human.

I didnt jump on you, your response was humorous that all, no offence was meant.

 

[cushcameleon]

I didnt jump on you, your response was humorous that all, no offence was meant.

None taken

 

[SSimsswiSS]

This might help.

Try up-ing the basking point temps. Most times chams turn black to absorb heat. I have a few Rudes that do intense sun bathing every morning. My indoor babies will camp out right under the heat source for hours, where temps can go as high, or over 100. In the wild their a little closer to the sun at the elevations found. Sun becomes alot more intense with altitude.

I just went and fixed the basking temps (positions of the heat lamps) and at first I saw my chameleon basking underneath it (he was still black). But once I began moving the light around, he noticed me and went from black to green.

 

[cushcameleon]

Try up-ing the basking point temps. Most times chams turn black to absorb heat. I have a few Rudes that do intense sun bathing every morning. My indoor babies will camp out right under the heat source for hours, where temps can go as high, or over 100. In the wild their a little closer to the sun at the elevations found. Sun becomes alot more intense with altitude.

You are honestly the first rudis chameleon keeper that has suggested raising the temperatures, especially by so much. Normally all the sources I use recommend that cooler is better than hotter, but since you clearly have experience and success with this, I will gradually increase temperatures and see what results I get. Thank you.