reptibreeze, Panther Chameleon & ambient temperature problems

[ahayto]

Hi All,

I've recently got a reptibreeze XL and having problems with keeping the ambient temps up. My basking spot is at 37 with a dimmer stat but the rest of the enclosure is between 20 and 22. My cham Goeff spends 3-5 hours a day in the basking area but seems really dark and sluggish at all other times. he's also not eating much at all. I put 5 insects in there a week ago and there is still 3 there. He will eat grubs and meal worms out of my hand no problems but that's it. I also fed him water from the water bottle for 30 mins yesterday.... guess he hasn't worked out where the new water drip is.

I took him to the vets but they said he seemed healthy and no sign of mbd.

I guess it could be down to the new enclosure, before that he was in a wood viv with a 50% mesh back and circular vents at the bottom sides and the ambient temp was much better, to the point where he didn't have to bask much. He now also has real plants not fake ones and I moved house winthin the same week.

I know chams can be really fussy so I hope he's just acclimatising to his new home.

Has anyone got any ideas on ways to keep the ambient teps up? I've got a 100 watt spot, should I get another?

 

[sdheli420]

Hi All,

I've recently got a reptibreeze XL and having problems with keeping the ambient temps up. My basking spot is at 37 with a dimmer stat but the rest of the enclosure is between 20 and 22. My cham Goeff spends 3-5 hours a day in the basking area but seems really dark and sluggish at all other times. he's also not eating much at all. I put 5 insects in there a week ago and there is still 3 there. He will eat grubs and meal worms out of my hand no problems but that's it. I also fed him water from the water bottle for 30 mins yesterday.... guess he hasn't worked out where the new water drip is.

I took him to the vets but they said he seemed healthy and no sign of mbd.

I guess it could be down to the new enclosure, before that he was in a wood viv with a 50% mesh back and circular vents at the bottom sides and the ambient temp was much better, to the point where he didn't have to bask much. He now also has real plants not fake ones and I moved house winthin the same week.

I know chams can be really fussy so I hope he's just acclimatising to his new home.

Has anyone got any ideas on ways to keep the ambient teps up? I've got a 100 watt spot, should I get another?

i think 96 degrees f is a lil high for a basking point, and 72 or so for ambient is a lil low..try wrpping the back and sides in plastic (you can use "painters plastic" and that will also increase humidity, so you can mist a tad less..you should be looking for a good flat 75 degrees f and 88 degrees f for the basking site..he may be soo warm under the hot basking light that is sucks to walk around a cold cage..and also if this is still a new set up to him, he will need time, they can take up to a few weeks to acclimate..

when my male panther moved from his small free range to the full size one, he freaked for about two weeks then started eating alot, and drinking..

 

[Jennibean]

reptibreeze temp prob

I am having the same problem! Can't get any heat higher than 70. The humidity is @ 70, so no problem there. I velcrowed plexiglass (had it cut to the specifications of my terrarium at my local hardware store) to the outside of the cage. I got the idea from one of my friends terrarium. She has 2 senegals. I'm still building my tank before my new "little one" comes home.

 

[carol5208]

i think 96 degrees f is a lil high for a basking point, and 72 or so for ambient is a lil low..try wrpping the back and sides in plastic (you can use "painters plastic" and that will also increase humidity, so you can mist a tad less..you should be looking for a good flat 75 degrees f and 88 degrees f for the basking site..he may be soo warm under the hot basking light that is sucks to walk around a cold cage..and also if this is still a new set up to him, he will need time, they can take up to a few weeks to acclimate..

when my male panther moved from his small free range to the full size one, he freaked for about two weeks then started eating alot, and drinking..

just to contradict what you are saying here and not trying to cause trouble, but I think panthers can take the high basking temps no problem. My basking spots are at the 95-96 degree range and my guys are fine with it. Also, living in FLA, when they are outside basking, the temps are even higher than that when they are sunning. I just wanted to say it can be done and they can bask comfortably in the mid to high 90's without gaping.

 

[Ulrich]

Sounds like he is not used to it yet. A sudden change can cause some adjustments especially if the temperatures and humidity are quite close to the previous settings. Mine are already freaking out if I trim the trees and everything is less green and crowded for some time. I would give him some time to adjust. Screen cage is quite different especially when it comes to wind movement and the outside sound waves they might react to.