Oscar is always dark when basking

[Deam0n]

Your Chameleon*- common chameleon (chamaeleo chameleon)
Handling*- no pattern yet, but the less I can.
Feeding*- medium crickets
Supplements*- electrodize on water
Watering*- I spray leafs 3 times a day
Fecal Description*- regular
History*- I caught him on the wild.

Cage Info:
Cage Type*- exo terra medium tall glass 24" x 18" x 24"

Lighting*- 3x exo terra UVB100 (13w), 1x ZooMed Nocturnal Infrared heat lamp (75w)

I also have a heating stone.

Temperature*- 25.9°c (digital thermometer)

Humidity*- I don't know.

Plants*- Artificial

Placement*- back of living room @ 1,30m from the floor

Location*- Luxembourg


So as stated on title, everytime oscar is basking he turns black, sometimes really dark... And when he's basking for long periods he opens his mouth... When I remove it from that state, he turns light green.

Should I be worried?

Is it possible to determin his age and Sex?

Here's some pics:

 

[sandrachameleon]

Hi

It is normal for them to turn dark when basking.

Watch the temperature closely - those glass enclosures (which it will soon grow too big for) retain heat well (sometimes too well). Your heat may be too high.

You may want to revisit your lighting also. and remove the heat rock.

Make sure you are providing enough water.
And you need to start monitoring humidity.

I recommend you add more branches and switch the fake plants for real plants.

You will also want to provide some prey variety - just crickets isn't good enough. Please make sure you are gutloading the crickets and other prey and using supplements appropriately (dusted on prey is advised over in water)


here are some links you may find useful:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/ryan-jarosek/119-new-arrival-bringing-home.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/syn/226-frequently-asked-questions.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/frequently-asked-questions-71620/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs...hameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/74-feeders.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/92-hydration-importance.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/65-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/75-feeder-nutrition-gutloading.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/sandrachameleon/407-gutloading-isnt-just-crickets-roaches-gutload-everything.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/olimpia/573-chameleon-physiology-supplements.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[fester2226]

dark when basking

you said you caught him if so he probably has many diseases but thats not the point chameleons i believe im not a 100% sure turn dark when basking to make sure they dont get burned

 

[jamjam]

you said you caught him if so he probably has many diseases but thats not the point chameleons i believe im not a 100% sure turn dark when basking to make sure they dont get burned

you're sort of on the right track. they may turn dark, lean sideways and flatten out to increase their surface area to absorb more heat

 

[Deam0n]

So what's the right temp. for the chamaeleo chameleon? I can only find info for veiled, panthers etc..

 

[sandrachameleon]

from what I understand, aim for 22 ºC day ambient with 30C (86F) basking, 15C (60F) night for adults
(lower basking heat and slightly higher night temp for night)

you may find these links useful
http://www.naturalsciences.be/institute/associations/rbzs_website/pdf/abstracts_130_s1/130_s1_14.pdf
https://www.chameleonforums.com/chamaeleo-chamaeleon-66301/
http://hera.ugr.es/doi/14996996.pdf
https://web.archive.org/web/2007040...am.com/html/taxonomy/species/cchamaeleon.html