My panther is always so dark almost black

[Gitaxius]

My panther chameleon is almost always black his temp at the top of the cage is about 84 and at the bottom it's like 74 maybe 78ish in the middle IDK what's wrong with him it's mostly when he's sitting on his vine basking and he does this a lot.

 

[doto]

Are you sure your thermometer is accurate? I have 4 different thermometers and all 4 read differently? My variance on the 4 is 6 degrees.

 

[LindsayG]

Can we see a picture of him?

 

[Gitaxius]

No I'm not 100% sure as I only have one I'm using a 60 watt bulb and it feels pretty hot

 

[GrimCamel]

Sounds like the problem should be the temp or he could be really stressed out but it would be strange if he always was like that. How warm is his basking spot?

 

[Gitaxius]

sure let me see if I can get one

 

[Gitaxius]

His basking spot is 85 degrees

 

[doto]

How old is your panther?

 

[Gitaxius]

I'm sorry I'm kind of new to this I have everything he needs good food I water him a lot I gutload I supplement I just don't know why he's always like that

 

[Gitaxius]

He's 8 months almost 9

 

[Gitaxius]

When I take him out of the cage or when he eats most of the time he turns his blue red green colors just when he sits in his cage he's always that color unless he's moving around a lot

 

[Gitaxius]

Any ideas?

 

[Andee]

I would get an infared temp gun and measure your temp. If you are using a dial thermometer those things can get way off. plus 9 months and above should have a basking range in high 80's- low 90's.

 

[Cheeky]

Is it just when he's basking that he's dark?

 

[Gitaxius]

Sorry I've been super busy for xmas yes just when he's basking

 

[GrimCamel]

Then he is just basking. This is normal

 

[lori main]

When I take him out of the cage or when he eats most of the time he turns his blue red green colors just when he sits in his cage he's always that color unless he's moving around a lot

mine is the same way she is always dark when she is in her viv when she is out she turns her normal pretty green colors.. i alwys wonder if she hates her viv?

 

[Char333p]

Turning dark while basking how they absorb heat better... just like a black pavement in the sun will burn your foot compared to white. Totally normal

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

Turning dark while basking how they absorb heat better... just like a black pavement in the sun will burn your foot compared to white. Totally normal

Seen a lot of white pavement have you? Haha just playing

 

[Char333p]

Seen a lot of white pavement have you? Haha just playing

Nah nah i kow.. even cement walk types which they have in pedestrian areas