Switching lights off.

[Portland bill]

Hi, was hoping I could get some advice about when to have the lights on and off as I've been roped into looking after a friends Yemen chameleon whilst he's on holiday. Spoke to someone at a reptile shop today, to which they told me to cycle both lights 12 hours on 12 hours off. This is not the same instructions given to me buy the owner. Any advice would be great.

 

[Hoj]

hello and welcome
12 on 12 off is what you want
1 light for uvb 1 light for basking
what was told to you by the owner,

 

[sdheli420]

12 12 is best..

i basically just have mine turn on and off with the sun outside..set a timer and forget about it..

 

[Portland bill]

Thanks for the replies. I think he has been told the wrong info also as he not had the chameleon that long. I think he's only 5 months old. Is it both lights ( uv light and the basking light). Also are there any good books I could read as I've wanted a chameleon for a while now but wanted to be as clued up as I could. Many thanks once again.

 

[K9Luvn]

Believe it of not you will learn more on this forum then you will from the books. Many members here have an amazing amount of knowledge about caring for chams and the chams or of locals. Stick around.. ask questions.. and read the blogs. You will be amazed!

Aslo I would like to say Welcome!

 

[Hoj]

as said there is tons of GREAT!! info on here.
one of the best book i have seen on chameleon care is the "the chameleon handbook"

it has good overall info on basic keeping methodes and requirments

 

[waphz]

12 12 is best..

i basically just have mine turn on and off with the sun outside..set a timer and forget about it..

Do you turn off both the UVB and the basking light?

 

[Solid Snake]

Do you turn off both the UVB and the basking light?

Most do yes.

Chameleons get on a cycle, and like to keep it. So if what the owner is doing is close to 12/12, say, 10/14, 11/13, or something, I would stick with it.

You can simulate a "sunrise/sunset" effect(sort of) by turning on UVB first, then the basking light on a bit later.

Really though, if the chameleon is used to a particular schedule, I would keep it.

Is the owner a member here?

As stated, theres nothing I know of that is chameleon related that cannot be learned here, that can be learned from a book, and then some.

Reading posts, old and new, and searching through blogs will be the fastest way to learn things IMO.

 

[Chameleopatrick]

This is not the same instructions given to me buy the owner. Any advice would be great.

so, the Owner gave you instructions of what exactly to do and now you want to take advice from people who you have never met and Don't even know if it's good advice or not?

Follow the instructions given to you by the owner! If I found out my temporary caregiver can't even follow basic instructions as to when to "turn off a light bulb" he can't be trusted to do anything else...

 

[Midnighthwk]

so, the Owner gave you instructions of what exactly to do and now you want to take advice from people who you have never met and Don't even know if it's good advice or not?

Follow the instructions given to you by the owner! If I found out my temporary caregiver can't even follow basic instructions as to when to "turn off a light bulb" he can't be trusted to do anything else...

what he said. changing what the cham is used to all of a sudden probly isnt good for the lil guy