Question for people who free range their chameleons
- Thread starter Cooper
- Start date
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
Do you mean people who free-range permanently or those who let their chameleons out for a bit?
If it's the first, you usually buy a long linear UVB bulb and suspend it over most or a good chunk of the FR. If it's the latter then as long as you have a good, strong UVB over the cage at all times, coming out for a couple hours and not having access to it is not long enough to be detrimental.
If it's the first, you usually buy a long linear UVB bulb and suspend it over most or a good chunk of the FR. If it's the latter then as long as you have a good, strong UVB over the cage at all times, coming out for a couple hours and not having access to it is not long enough to be detrimental.
Thanks for your reply, I wouldn't be able to let her be completely free range as I have other reptiles and I think seeing a chameleon abseiling down in front of their cages may stress them out
Today she was out for at least 2 hours and is scratching to come out again, but I at least want her to bask for a little bit.
My UVB is a Reptisun 5.0 tube. Is this strong enough? I was told not to get the 10.0 as it might be too strong for chameleons, but now I'm not sure.
She's a veiled chameleon about 1 year old.
symphonica
New Member
My panthers are free-ranged 24/7. They're really "well-trained" and only stay on their ficus. I have a 48" T5HO fixture hanging above the trees. Fortunately, my guys don't really roam, so it's been easy. Otherwise, I'd do the same thing, but position the UVB above their favorite hang-out spot where they spend the majority of their time.
Thanks guys! I will definitely get her a 10.0, I've looked into Arcadia and they don't seem to be available in the US??
I'd love to just have a ficus with her lamps over it and have her be free all day, but she would never stay on it, she's a real roamer and literally does laps around the entire room!
I'd love to just have a ficus with her lamps over it and have her be free all day, but she would never stay on it, she's a real roamer and literally does laps around the entire room!
symphonica
New Member
I got my Arcadia through Todd Goode of lightyourreptiles.com he's extremely knowledgeable and will set you up with what you need if you describe your set-up to him.
Thanks so much! I'll contact him. Their website looks great, maybe I'll consult with him on my other reptiles too
I have a suggestion for you. I went to Big Lots and bought a reading lamp they sell there that has a Full Spectrum light bulb in it. The lamp is used for Vitamin D absorption during the fall and winter to keep the user from getting a "Seasonal Depressive Disorder", what we used to call "Cabin Fever" in the old days. The bulb has a full sun spectrum, which emits UVB and UVA rays. They make excellent grow lights for your special plants, and they supply the UVB your chameleon needs.
I use one of these lamps. That have an adjustable gooseneck that you can twist and turn to get the light where you want it. I aim it at the chameleon once she has decided where she's going to roost for the day. She seems to be doing great, and when she's inher enclosure, I even bend the gooseneck so this lamp shines into her little jungle. She gets her basking lamp when she wants to, her UVB when she wants to, and then this lamp is always there for her to get full sun when she wants to. I say when she wants to, because she knows what she needs more than we do, and she'll go to where ever she's going to accomplish her needs. By the way, the plants in her jungle are also thriving from the sunlight. I just thought about something that someone would otherwise protest about. NO, she does not get sunburned because of the UVA rays. The lamp is agood enough distance fromthe chameleon, and she inherently has the sense to get out of the light if her skin gets too hot. We need to give our chameleons more creit than some people do. They are smart enough to move about their enclosure in such a way as to be most protected.
pigglett79
Avid Member
Have you checked the lamp with a UV meter to be sure the rays are at a level sufficient for the chameleon? I would be itnerested in its output.
Also if they were smart enough to get out of the light when it gets too hot we wouldn’t have countless chameleons in the health section with thermal burns from their heat lamps. So I wouldnt say that is 100% true. Its not all about surface temperateure with them either.
symphonica
New Member
I would also have to recommend using a UV meter to check this lamp.
For example, plants, chameleons, and corals/anemone all need "sunlight." However, when turned into artificial light (bulbs), they all need something different. A UVB lamp for reptiles isn't going to enable me to keep my corals alive. My coral light isn't going to work for my chameleon. All of them need bulbs that mimic the sun, but they're all created to specifically target what exactly it is about the sunlight that they need.
For example, plants, chameleons, and corals/anemone all need "sunlight." However, when turned into artificial light (bulbs), they all need something different. A UVB lamp for reptiles isn't going to enable me to keep my corals alive. My coral light isn't going to work for my chameleon. All of them need bulbs that mimic the sun, but they're all created to specifically target what exactly it is about the sunlight that they need.
