Do chameleons 'chill out?'

[CrazyCalvin]

Hey everyone,

My chameleons growing fast now (just over 4 months old) and as he's getting bigger his habits/body language is changing. I havent had a chameleon before so just wanted to check that his recent behaviour is normal.

It may sound like quite a dim/thick question but do chameleons chill out?? I've noticed now that whilst he's sat under his basking lamp-instead of 'sitting' he'll lie right down on the brach, as in spread his body quite flat. Is this a good thing or does it mean he's scared?? Though i read somewhere that if they feel threatened they'll lower their body?

Maybe a daft question but jst wanted to clarify incase he isnt feeling too good

Thanks

 

[jojackson]

What is your basking temperature and what kind of chameleon?

 

[CrazyCalvin]

Basking temp is around mid 70's and he's a veiled chameleon

 

[Hoj]

you need to get the basking temp up, should be around 90, he prob flattening himself out to try and catch more heat

 

[jojackson]

May just be relaxed. My female does this on single vine perches but not on double twists, maybe its just to feel more secure?
Pics?

Its only 4 months old Hoj, 90 is a bit too high, 80 would be plenty.

 

[Hoj]

May just be relaxed. My female does this on single vine perches but not on double twists, maybe its just to feel more secure?
Pics?

Its only 4 months old Hoj, 90 is a bit too high, 80 would be plenty.

sorry i just saw that, agreed all tho my guy has always been a heatseeker LoL, ever since the day he came home.

 

[carol5208]

yes they will lay almost flat to absorb the heat but mostly with your basking temp being that low he is really trying to warm up. I have a 20watt and a50 watt in my cage along with the uvb light. The 20 watt is in a dome fixture just like the 50 and is really there to just brighten up that side of the cage. Most of the time he basks under the 50 but sometimes I will catch him trying to catch some heat under the 20 and he is almost laying down on the branch flat as a pancake! I am sure if you bump up your basking he will not have to lay so flat to absorb the heat.

 

[CrazyCalvin]

So consensus is the basking temp needs to be raised? Thought he was jst chilling out and relaxing haha

 

[jojackson]

Ahh, laterally flat, side toward the heat, this makes more sense. Normal.

If its been fine, I wouldnt raise it much, a few degrees perhaps. 80f

 

[CrazyCalvin]

Urrm yep sorry meant laterally flat-as if he's flat to the ground haha! Jst wntd to check its normal and not coz he's stressed or anything thanks everyone

 

[jojackson]

No problem, I was thinking you meant just kind of 'hunkered down' like, I should've twigged!