Quick question about chameleon sleeping while lights are on.

[Xyres]

Today for the first time ever I noticed my panther chameleon sleeping with the lights on about 40 minutes before his lights usually shut off. Its not too unusual for him to go hide around this time and stay there until morning but its the first time I have ever noticed him with his eyes shut while the light was on. Earlier he was active and moving around so I have my doubts that it is anything bad as he was in his sleeping spot but I just want to make sure.

Could it also be something like heating? It is starting to get colder where I live. Or could it be because its just getting darker earlier than usual and the lights are normally off in my room?

I might just be overreacting but I would like to hear some other peoples input.

 

[pigglett79]

If the room is getting dark and it is close to lights out, I wouldn't worry about it. I do find one of my boys snoozing close to lights out. And if it gets cloudy and the room starts to go dim, he will pass out. Each chameleon is different. My Jackson sleeps early and my panther never sleeps until its completely dark.

 

[kplatvoet]

I had a similar situation with one of my guys and started covering his cage at night-I think car lights were coming though the screens on the window and waking him up at night - he still puts his pajama's on and gets ready for bed about 1/2 hour before lights off - but he keeps his eyes open till the lights turn out.

 

[houseofchameleons]

Some of mine will also be caught sleeping close to lights out

 

[TerryLund]

Early to Bed

I have also see a few of my chameleons go towards the bottom of the cage away from the lights to catch a few Z's before it is bed time. I think it is perfectly normal and depends on the character of the chameleon and maybe even depends on how much exercise the got that day

Terry

 

[NHenn]

I actually just shortened my lighting timer by 30 minutes as I noticed everyone was going to their regular sleeping spot about an hour before lights out so I figured I would cut back a little on the time. It is getting cooler here as well so maybe he is just getting ready for bed earlier.

 

[ridgebax1]

Pete used to do this too. He would go to his sleeping spot about an hour before lights out. Omar however seems to sleep in different spots but will go somewhere and settle down for the night. When I was re-doing his cage the little black "key" that makes the timer turn off got lost so I have to remember to keep an eye on the time so I can turn them off, which I do when I notice him in a sleeping position. (all hunkered down, hugging a branch).

 

[mhfan305]

Shouldnt chameleons need light dimmers?! Exo-terra makes a briliant light dimmer but its only for FLUORESCENT BULBS! I wonder if home depot or somewhere has a light dimmer that can be used on any light fixture?

 

[Jelloman]

Sleeping Early

My boy has been getting into sleeping posture at least 1 hour before lights out and sometimes more. I think it is a combination of cooler room temps and shorter days. I am probably going to have to adjust misting and lights out timer.

 

[Deevo]

My cham has snoozes every now and then and with it getting darker earlier now he has been going to bed earlier. I would think its just more of a personality thing, no need to worry.

 

[UnchosenOne]

So it's normal to do a little cat nap during the day? Like if there is a short little half hour to hour nap in the middle of the day that isn't something to be too concerned about?

 

[pigglett79]

So it's normal to do a little cat nap during the day? Like if there is a short little half hour to hour nap in the middle of the day that isn't something to be too concerned about?

No that's not OK. We were talking about going to bed just before lights out, or possibly if the rtoom gets dark. Sleeping during the day is usually a sign of illness.

 

[UnchosenOne]

Well I just got him on Saturday so I can't tell if it's just still trying to adjust since I accidentally wake him up when I go to bed at about 2

 

[UnchosenOne]

Ah crap I just noticed something. I thought the night light I was using was 60 watt. It was a 100. Same as the day light. Crap. Maybe that's why. No temp difference between the night and day is confusing. I could it was a 60. Should never trust what info you get from your mother about her old reptile stuff :/ I'll go get a lower one tomorrow. Think that will make things a bit better?

 

[Lathelia]

Ah crap I just noticed something. I thought the night light I was using was 60 watt. It was a 100. Same as the day light. Crap. Maybe that's why. No temp difference between the night and day is confusing. I could it was a 60. Should never trust what info you get from your mother about her old reptile stuff :/ I'll go get a lower one tomorrow. Think that will make things a bit better?

You shouldn't use a night light unless your house gets really cold at night. And even then it's adviced to use heat emitter, not a regular/baskig bulb.

 

[junglefries]

dimming

I keep one fixture on 12/12. The other i have come on and go off 30min after and before. to simulate dawn and sunset. the ones i am able to do this with seem to enjoy it. allows them to slowly awaken or go to sleep, rather than an all or nothing with the light.

 

[UnchosenOne]

Well I've only had him for 3 days now and he seems to be sleeping less and less each of the days. So I think I'll really have to judge after he's been around a little longer. He's really very skittish still. But he seems to be slowly adjusting. Guess I'll just have to watch for a bit longer and see how he acts while he stays longer
And yes it does get pretty cold at night. Just the way the house is set up and where I was allowed to keep the cage. Went down to a 50 watt. It's staying a bit cooler now.

 

[pigglett79]

Well I've only had him for 3 days now and he seems to be sleeping less and less each of the days. So I think I'll really have to judge after he's been around a little longer. He's really very skittish still. But he seems to be slowly adjusting. Guess I'll just have to watch for a bit longer and see how he acts while he stays longer
And yes it does get pretty cold at night. Just the way the house is set up and where I was allowed to keep the cage. Went down to a 50 watt. It's staying a bit cooler now.

If it isnt getting down to the 50s you dont need any heat at night. If you need heat you should use a ceramic heat emitter. They sense any type of light even the red and blue bulbs. They need total darkness at night to sleep.

 

[ridgebax1]

I have been wondering if I should cover Omar's cage at night. His lights go off about 19:30 but there is still a light on in the living room, as well as the TV; I also work nights and keep to a night schedule on my days off, so sometimes the lights are on in the room until 04:00. The light is not really close to his cage but it is in the same room. Do I need to cover him until I go to bed and turn all the lights and TV off?

 

[Psychobunny]

If you have lights on in the same room, I would cover his cage with a dark colored sheet or something.
I got some cheap black bed sheets and cut them to cage size for my guyz if I intend to have any lights on.
But I have an early schedule, so I go to bed myself an hour or so after their lights go out.

They like it DARK!!