Time to Bask...

[agavrysh]

I have my cham for about 2 weeks, lots of time he would be brownish in color and sit under bask. I was told that he gets darker to absorb more heat. However, I think it's too much basking for him, since his temp would get to like 85-90 F under bask, and one time he even gaped. So I decided to turn off the basking light and only have it for like 2-3 hours a day, would that be OK for 3-4 mo old cham?
Also I put one house bulb light (energy saving one) inside just for the light, since incandescent light is off.
Since I made new basking light schedule, he seems greener/healthier than used to be.

 

[camimom]

no. he needs a basking bulb 12 hours a day.
if it gets too hot.

LOWER THE WATTAGE!

 

[Goldenarcher1328]

no. he needs a basking bulb 12 hours a day.
if it gets too hot.

LOWER THE WATTAGE!

Camimom said it all! they do need that lighting to be able to thermoregulate. however if its too hot, and you haven't provided them with a gradient ( slanted branch that they can move up and down) then lower the wattage

 

[agavrysh]

I already switched from 100w to 75w, but still gets to 90F on that spot, My cage is 48"x24"X24".

I have seen a blog here about a baby and juvenile chams, it says that basking light might not be required....

 

[Sticktongue]

Well, lower the wattage even more try a 60 watt. If thats still to hot try a 40 and so on.

Yes it is required, As long as your ambient temps (the temperature of your house) is not in the 80s which i highly doubt it is. They need the heat to digest their food

 

[millsamus]

60W bulb is average among Us all. Just keep the distance of the lamp to the branches 5- 6 inches apart or as said above....


provided them with a gradient ( slanted branch that they can move up and down) "Goldenarcher1328"

 

[camimom]

babies younger than 2 months old dont necessarily need a basking bulb.
unless your cham is that young.. you need a basking bulb!

how close is th ebulb to the top of the cage? also, how close is the thermeter to the bulb versus the basking spot?

 

[agavrysh]

The light dome that i have rests directly on top of the cage, and actual bulb is about 3 inches apart from it.

His basking spot is about 10" from the top

 

[PappaRONzi]

I had to go down to a 60 watt to get a low 80 range for my enclosure. Window light can also affect the temperature range, my Chams cage gets a lot of sun during the day so I will never need more than a 60 watt in this location.

 

[LeoM]

I use a little 25 watt bulb used for fridges and ovens, it works great as it reaches de 85F temp... i had to lower it a lot becaues apparently my double bulb fixture increased the heat a lot.. so i had to lower the wattage pretty much a lot..

 

[agavrysh]

Yea, I have double bulb fixture as well, I only had an basking bulb there, but yesterday put a regular house bulb there as well. Well I guess, I will have to look for lower wattage. Thanks. Off to Walmart...