I am Worried my Chameleon may Burn Itself

[dinothechameleon]

Hey I recently got a chameleon 5 days ago, and it likes to climb on the top of its enclosure a lot. Sometimes it stays in the area where its basking light is and since I set the enclosure up for my panther chameleon to bask on its stick and not on the screen, I am worried it may burn itself. What should I do?

 

[Thesolecontender]

If it is sitting on cage and light is right on top it is very likely to burn itself. What are the temps at your basking spot. If you can send some pictures of full cage and fill out the husbandry form that will be very helpful to all the more experienced members

 

[Serbianchameleon]

Hey I recently got a chameleon 5 days ago, and it likes to climb on the top of its enclosure a lot. Sometimes it stays in the area where its basking light is and since I set the enclosure up for my panther chameleon to bask on its stick and not on the screen, I am worried it may burn itself. What should I do?

Can you post pics of you chameleon and the enclosure from lights to bottom. And why are you referring to your cham as it, is it because you are not sure of his/hers gender? Also I will post here the text you should fill and post it back here!

 

[Serbianchameleon]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

 

[ERKleRose]

Raise the bulb and fixture off the screen

 

[dinothechameleon]

Can you post pics of you chameleon and the enclosure from lights to bottom. And why are you referring to your cham as it, is it because you are not sure of his/hers gender? Also I will post here the text you should fill and post it back here!

He's a 3 month old male chameleon! I will post pictures of him and his enclosure.

 

[dinothechameleon]

If it is sitting on cage and light is right on top it is very likely to burn itself. What are the temps at your basking spot. If you can send some pictures of full cage and fill out the husbandry form that will be very helpful to all the more experienced members

My basking area temperature for my 3 month old male panther chameleon is 80 degrees. I put a photo of his enclosure in the other reply.

 

[ERKleRose]

Have you given him more coverage and privacy yet?

 

[dinothechameleon]

Chameleon Info:

• Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
• Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
• Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
• Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
• Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
• Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
• History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:

• Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
• Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
• Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
• Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
• Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
• Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
• Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

--------------

Please Note:

1. The more details you provide the better and more accurate help you will receive.
2. Photos can be very helpful.

Age: 3 months old, I have had it for 5 days
Sex: Male panther chameleon
Basking temperature: 80 degrees Fahrenheit
Humidity levels: 45 (I ordered plastic shower curtains so I can put it on the sides of his enclosure to increase humidity levels)
Feeders: Dubia roaches, waxworms, hornworms, and BSFL, waxworms (He isn't eating yet but I already recieved help for that from other members)
Supplements: Calcium without D3 (I use this 6 days a week), calcium with D3, I use this every other week for one day, and a multivitamin( I use this every other week for one day)
UVB light: Linear T5 HO 5.0
Frequency and amount of food: Once a day, 10-15 feeders (at least planning to since he won't eat yet)
Cage size: 2 feet x 2 feet x 4 feet screen cage
Handling Care: I do not handle him since I got him so recently.
Watering: I use a mistking mister and it goes off 3 times a day for 2 minutes, yes I see him drink water
Fecal observations: Dark brown, slimy residue on it
I have never gotten a fecal from him but his poops are dark brown and has a bit of what looks like slime around it. He has never been tested for parasites because he was $300 so I assume his breeder took care of him well. I bought him from RobersonReptiles and he was shipped to me overnight from Florida. I am using all live plants- A money Tree, a Hawaiian Ti Plant, a Pothos plant, an Umbrella Tree, a Calathea Plant, a Wandering Jew, a Weeping Fig, a Spider plant, and a Prayer plant. For the placement, my cage is located in my room, very low traffic and quiet. It is not near any fans or air vents. The very top of my cage stands at about 4'10 feet tall. I live in California.

 

[dinothechameleon]

Have you given him more coverage and privacy yet?

Yes I have not touched him.

Raise the bulb and fixture off the screen

But then his basking spot would be lower than 80 degrees

 

[Mendez]

My basking area temperature for my 3 month old male panther chameleon is 80 degrees. I put a photo of his enclosure in the other reply.

80 degrees is perfect at the basking spot.

To solve your problem, raise the basking branches up a lot closer to the screen top, then raise your basking bulb up an equal amount (the same distance that you raised your basking branch). This way, the screen top will not be too hot for him and act as a barrier between your cham and the light.

 

[dinothechameleon]

80 degrees is perfect at the basking spot.

To solve your problem, raise the basking branches up a lot closer to the screen top, then raise your basking bulb up an equal amount (the same distance that you raised your basking branch). This way, the screen top will not be too hot for him and act as a barrier between your cham and the light.

Got it.

 

[ERKleRose]

Yes I have not touched him.

But then his basking spot would be lower than 80 degrees

I meant covering the sides of his cage so he feels more secure. What @Mendez said for the bulb is perfect!

 

[ERKleRose]

Got it, however I'm not sure how to raise the basking bulb because I do not have anything on my wall to hang it on. Any suggestions?

Do you have any small diameter PVC pipe to make a stand for it on top of his cage?

 

[dinothechameleon]

I meant covering the sides of his cage so he feels more secure. What @Mendez said for the bulb is perfect!

I ordered plastic shower curtains to put on the sides of his enclosure to retain more humidity. They are see through, do you suggest I order ones that are a solid color so he cannot see through them?

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Hey I recently got a chameleon 5 days ago, and it likes to climb on the top of its enclosure a lot. Sometimes it stays in the area where its basking light is and since I set the enclosure up for my panther chameleon to bask on its stick and not on the screen, I am worried it may burn itself. What should I do?

Put your hand on that part of the screen (from the inside). If you can keep your hand there indefinitely without discomfort, the cham shouldn't get burnt.

If it's hot enough that you can't keep your hand there indefinitely, then you have to:

• Raise the bulb (and possibly the basking site).
• Mount the bulb at an angle to create an ovoid range of temperatures. Burn test still applies.
• Use a lower wattage.

 

[ERKleRose]

I ordered plastic shower curtains to put on the sides of his enclosure to retain more humidity. They are see through, do you suggest I order ones that are a solid color so he cannot see through them?

You can use the clear ones you ordered and just cover the cage after they’re up with something opaque if you don’t want to buy new opaque ones

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

Got it, however I'm not sure how to raise the basking bulb because I do not have anything on my wall to hang it on. Any suggestions?

https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Holder-Bracket-Reptiles/dp/B007D1BUJY

 

[ERKleRose]

https://www.amazon.com/Exo-Terra-Holder-Bracket-Reptiles/dp/B007D1BUJY

@Beman did a great job mounting hers!

 

[ERKleRose]

Here’s a post with it:
Post in thread 'MY UVB readings as a guide'
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/my-uvb-readings-as-a-guide.178674/post-1633349