AmenBrotherBen
Member
So I just found out that a female chameleon shouldn't have a basking light but it should stay around low 80s. My house thermostat is at 70 so how's the temperature gonna increase if there's no basking light? 
No basking light?
- Thread starter AmenBrotherBen
- Start date
FrankTheTank
Established Member
You were highly misinformed. Females still require basking lights just as males do. I don't know where you read or heard this but it was incorrect. Check out the chameleon care sheets posted on the left side of every page towards the bottom
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
Yep, you can just use a home incandescent light that gets you into the 80-82* range for the warmest part of the cage. Maybe a 60w or less may do the trick for you, so play around with a couple bulbs and see which ones works best.
Keeping females a little cooler than males and keeping them on a careful diet will decrease the likelihood of them laying eggs or at least laying big batches of eggs, which can extend their lives. Here is a good blog written by someone that has gotten veiled females to live up to 8 years with this strategy! (not just for veileds) - http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html
Keeping females a little cooler than males and keeping them on a careful diet will decrease the likelihood of them laying eggs or at least laying big batches of eggs, which can extend their lives. Here is a good blog written by someone that has gotten veiled females to live up to 8 years with this strategy! (not just for veileds) - http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html
nightanole
Chameleon Enthusiast
So I just found out that a female chameleon shouldn't have a basking light but it should stay around low 80s. My house thermostat is at 70 so how's the temperature gonna increase if there's no basking light?
Females just need lower temps than males. And thats only in some cases. If the "problem" female is kept with a basking light say at 92-95f, then she may start having eggs every 2 months in extreme cases.
AmenBrotherBen
Member
So wait then what? Y'all are like all giving me different answers.
jannb
Chameleon Enthusiast
You do what you need to do to keep the basking temps in the low 80's. A good temp gun is very important. I live in FL so here my house stays warm enough to not use a basking light at all. The temps up high.....like at the top of the trees ( I free range) stays in the lower 80's with just a UVB strip light and a regular florescent bulb in a duel fixture. If you live in a cold house then you may need a basking light. You might find these blogs helpful.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html#comment2073
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html#comment2073
http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/
FrankTheTank
Established Member
It's all basically the same suggestion but people are giving you extra info. No one is contradicting another. Just read carefully. If you have any questions about what is said specifically then just let us low what you are confused about
2 basking spot method for med. - larger size set ups.
Something to consider for larger cages:
The 2 basing light method.
Variation on the "The Light an Shade Method".
This is simple and cheap and can offer the animal a broader choice of basking Areas with a wider variation in UV levels.
You could use bulbs of slightly different wattage so the temps will vary a bit. And with your temp gun or thermometer...
adjust branches under each dome to offer a bit of variety.
Sort of "fine tuning".
Position one closer to/ right near the (array) of UVB flo. bulb(s)
Position one farther away (say in the back corner) from the UV generating light source.
Now you have some different UV zones (ei: UV gradients) as well as some different basking temp. zones.
This creates an environment that allows the animal the broadest choices.
THINK:
Just like Nature.
Also, you can use a dome with an 80 WATT Merc. Vapor bulb in it along with a second dome with a household bulb in it.
Along with the Merc vapor---
For general lighting and background UV, have a dual bulb HO t5 over the cage with a 6% HO T5 in it and a 6.5k daylight bulb.
Yep...
Using this 2 basking area method (and if you understand know what you are doing.) ---
you can combine Flo. UV bulbs with a merc vapor on a large enclosure to yield fantastic results.
Again--
This would be good for larger heavily planted cages and smaller free range set ups.
This creates an environment that allows the animal the broadest choices.
THINK:
Just like Nature.
One of the benefits with the above is:
They are not "forced" to sit and soak up more UV than they want when trying to get warm just to digest food!
Conversely:
They can bask and get plenty of heat along with UV if they feel the need.
Also:
LIVE PLANTS will do great.
Here is an article from the European magazine talking about creating different zones so the animal can choose what they need.
It is called "The Light an Shade Method"
and it is catching on in Europe and will be the gold standard here soon.
Why?
Because it is the best for the animals and does not force them to live (And make CHOICES) in an overly limited and restrictive environment.
http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/files/2013/01/004_PRK_Mar13.pdf
PS.
PLUS
if anyone has Bearded Dragons, this IS the way to go too...
because they are in cages that do not offer as much vertical variation in UV and heat to choose from as a Chams cage can...
In other words:
They are in a much less 3 dimensional set up--
so the 2 basking area is the way to go for them too so they have more and better choices!
A new day is dawning on reptile care.
Cheers!
Todd
Something to consider for larger cages:
The 2 basing light method.
Variation on the "The Light an Shade Method".
This is simple and cheap and can offer the animal a broader choice of basking Areas with a wider variation in UV levels.
You could use bulbs of slightly different wattage so the temps will vary a bit. And with your temp gun or thermometer...
adjust branches under each dome to offer a bit of variety.
Sort of "fine tuning".
Position one closer to/ right near the (array) of UVB flo. bulb(s)
Position one farther away (say in the back corner) from the UV generating light source.
Now you have some different UV zones (ei: UV gradients) as well as some different basking temp. zones.
This creates an environment that allows the animal the broadest choices.
THINK:
Just like Nature.
Also, you can use a dome with an 80 WATT Merc. Vapor bulb in it along with a second dome with a household bulb in it.
Along with the Merc vapor---
For general lighting and background UV, have a dual bulb HO t5 over the cage with a 6% HO T5 in it and a 6.5k daylight bulb.
Yep...
Using this 2 basking area method (and if you understand know what you are doing.) ---
you can combine Flo. UV bulbs with a merc vapor on a large enclosure to yield fantastic results.
Again--
This would be good for larger heavily planted cages and smaller free range set ups.
This creates an environment that allows the animal the broadest choices.
THINK:
Just like Nature.
One of the benefits with the above is:
They are not "forced" to sit and soak up more UV than they want when trying to get warm just to digest food!
Conversely:
They can bask and get plenty of heat along with UV if they feel the need.
Also:
LIVE PLANTS will do great.
Here is an article from the European magazine talking about creating different zones so the animal can choose what they need.
It is called "The Light an Shade Method"
and it is catching on in Europe and will be the gold standard here soon.
Why?
Because it is the best for the animals and does not force them to live (And make CHOICES) in an overly limited and restrictive environment.
http://www.arcadia-reptile.com/files/2013/01/004_PRK_Mar13.pdf
PS.
PLUS
if anyone has Bearded Dragons, this IS the way to go too...
because they are in cages that do not offer as much vertical variation in UV and heat to choose from as a Chams cage can...
In other words:
They are in a much less 3 dimensional set up--
so the 2 basking area is the way to go for them too so they have more and better choices!
A new day is dawning on reptile care.
Cheers!
Todd
Anniel
New Member
Sorry to jump in on the conversation, but I was wondering if you could give me some advice?
I have a GE reveal long life 75 light output its 860 lumens, it says color enhanced full spectrum, I want to try this for my 4 1/2 male panther, but wanted to make sure it was safe for a basking light. It is just a regular house hold bulb. It has a slight purple tint to the bulb, do you think it would be okay? Thanks
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
If all you need from your basking light is heat, it should be fine. Don't expect this bulb to provide the proper UVB radiation on its own however.
Anniel
New Member
I have a reptisun 5.0 linear for UVB, just wanted to try something different for the basking light, and wanted to make sure it would work. Thanks for your help!
