Chameleon lights...

[Shilo114]

new owner to a baby veiled. We started with the zoo med kit and added other things inside and a drip system as well. He was doing great the first two nights, then just sat up by the light not moving much. (I had put tinfoil on two sides prior to him starting that, and removed it the next day...) I also added a new live plant to the inside and he seems to be moving around more and back to what he was (75%) since bringing him home. Still sits up by he light a lot throuought the day though...

I've basically been told I need to change my light that came with the zoo med kit ASAP or he will die...is this true? If so, what light does he need??

 

[inkdguy35]

as long as one of them is a uvb bulb (probably a coil bulb) and the other is a natural light basking bulb (not red or any other color) you are good to go on the light situation. when he is sitting on a branch at the top he is basking to absorb uvb and heat. this is normal. he is new to the environment so give him some space as he is stressed a bit right now. just needs some time to adjust.

 

[Shilo114]

Thank you! I assumed he was just basking as he's been eating a lot and roaming the first few days. I was hoping he had "adjusted" enough to feel comfortable to bask. He still hides from me when I open the cage to most or feed but I let him be and talk. I don't want to handle him until he's comfortable

 

[Shilo114]

It came with a "blue" tinted bulb...is that ok??

 

[inkdguy35]

personally I wouldn't use it, but if it'll get you by for a day or two it would be fine to use. I'm not saying that a light tint of blue to their light would affect them, I just personally use white light basking bulbs. definitely don't want a red one though.

 

[Replife]

So the problem ppl have with uvb coil/compact bulbs is that some time ago ppl where have issues with them causing eye problems for the animal.. however they are said to be safe now. The other issue is you get very little usable uvb from them so if I where u I would invest in at least one more for double the coverage or just get a uvb tube fixture and be done with it lol as far as the blue bulb they shouldn't cause any problems but I would switch to a white bulb just to be safe

 

[broderp]

It came with a "blue" tinted bulb...is that ok??

No colored bulbs. You need white light for enclosure lighting and UVB bulb. Do not relay on colored bulbs for general lighting and do not use them for night lights either.

The exception would be if you had some small red or blue LEDs for PLANT growth. You defiantly want more white than red or blue. But again, no lights at all at night.

Here's an example of what I mean. You can see the red (not so much the blue), but the main lighting is white.

 

[Shilo114]

These are the bulbs that came with the kit...so replace the blue one asap until we can get the better ones?

 

[Shilo114]

I also turn the lights off completely after 12 hours. So he gets 12 during the day with light 12 without. He definitely lets me know when he's done with the lights and crawls half way down his cage and hides in leafs to sleep and is bright green when he sleeps

 

[Replife]

These are the bulbs that came with the kit...so replace the blue one asap until we can get the better ones?

Correct ....it sucks how they sell ppl those kits that come with everything you don't need lol

 

[serenaj25]

the blue one doesnt give off any tint of blue to the light I've been using it for over a year now and no issues have come up. Just curious, why would the blue light bulb make a difference in the health of a chameleon?