mouth constantly open??

[mattj]

So I just moved into a new house and set up the cage in a new spot and over the past two days I noticed my young veiled seems to be sitting near his basking lamp with his mouth slightly open.

Nothing has really changed, hes been eating and drinking. Just tried silkworms with him yesterday and he devoured three within an hour. He looks fine, nice and green.

I was guessing he might be hot. But why sit under the basking lamp? Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[camimom]

Sometimes they get hot, and wont move.

What is your basking temperature?

 

[GabeCastro]

This is normal, but not good haha.

Your cham sounds like he's baking

Try and move the basking light so it's atleast 8"-10" away from his basking perch. Also make sure his basking temp is around 85ish but nothing higher, especially at a young age. When he's older you can hit to the low 90's.

He opens his mouth so he can regulate his body temperature and cool down.

What lights are you using?

 

[mattj]

Im using a regular 75watt bulb. I just put the temp gauge back in (temporarily misplaced during the move) and its at about 80 after 15 minutes. So I was assuming thats not too hot.

 

[GabeCastro]

Im using a regular 75watt bulb. I just put the temp gauge back in (temporarily misplaced during the move) and its at about 80 after 15 minutes. So I was assuming thats not too hot.

Try and use a regular 60w bulb, and move the basking light so it's elevated off of the mesh screen. Or just elevate your 75w, thats what i'm using.

How often are you misting? Maybe the humidity is low so he's getting dry heat. If you are misting, whats the humidity levels at?

 

[camimom]

what type of temp gauge are you using?

 

[mattj]

Ok. Update. I just checked it again and its at 85degrees.

Humidty lately has been 65-70% I have a mistking that goes off 4 times throughout the day for anywhere from 1 to 2 minutes.

The bulb fixture is elevated off the screen.

Right now I just have an analog gauge. I was planning on getting a digital when I built a new cage but maybe ill go tomorrow.

I might go back to the 60 watt bulb. I just changed recently. But im beginning to think hes younger than I was thinking. I was under the impression he was about mos 5 months but after seeing some other members male veileds at appx 5mos mi. So much smaller.

 

[GabeCastro]

That might be the reason...The analog ones are never really accurate as the digital ones. I'm sure your basking temps are in the 90's. Also analogs are used to mesure the ambient temperature (atleast thats how i use them). I just ordered another Zoo Med Digital Terrarium Thermometer off amazon for $7 bucks shipped & a Exo Terra Digital Combination Thermometer/Hygrometer for about $15 bucks. But you can also use ones from Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes, etc. Also I recommend a Duratrax FlashPoint Infrared Temp Gauge. This will also be a great tool to check the temps in different areas of your cage. I use it to see what temp the baskin perch is, chams body temp, etc.

Zoo Med Digital Terrarium Thermometer:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MD3MFA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Exo Terra Digital Combination Thermometer/Hygrometer:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NOGK7Y/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Duratrax FlashPoint Infrared Temp Gauge:
http://www.amazon.com/Duratrax-Flas...&qid=1362513477&sr=8-2&keywords=heat+gage+gun

 

[mattj]

Thanks gabe. Im going to order one. I think my local shop wanted like $20. So maybe ill swap the 75 for the 60 watt and get a truer reading with a digi.