two basking spots?

[gwjones777]

Why do people tend to recommend only one basking point in cage........ even in a 2x2x4 or larger cage?

I would think that a basking point of 86-90 and one of 91-94ish would be better, seeing as in nature i would assume that a chameleon would have more choices of a temp gradient then we can offer with only one basking spot.

And why do we have lower basking temps for babies when in nature they would have access to the same temps as an adult and have evolved over time to self-regulate their temps?

I read one statement saying that baby chameleons will stay under a heat lamp until they get so hot they start gaping or opening their mouth instead of moving out of the basking spot. Why is this bad? This is very common with bearded dragons and is simply a way of getting their internal temp closer to an ideal point.
I also read that the body surface compared to body mass is different so the babies cant regulate heat as well?

please help me with your opinions, i am in no way trying to criticize just wanting to discuss and learn

thanks

 

[toddmkeller]

I use one basking spot because two would cause too much heat in the top of the cage. When you have a large collection it would obviously cost you twice as much in electricity. For babies a lot of people tend to keep their temps lower than their adults for multiple reasons. For one, light bulbs are not like the sun, you really can't reach out at the sun and get burnt by it whereas a lightbulb can produce a thermal burn quickly with a small change in proximity to the bulb. You must also realize that these generalizations and "recommendations" are targeted usually at the new keeper. I keep the temps of my babies higher than some people keep their adults. With a proper setup and good temperature gradients you should have no problem keeping your babies temps a bit higher, just be careful if raising babies in tubs whereas its much harder to achieve a temp gradient.

See ya,

Todd

 

[gwjones777]

I use one basking spot because two would cause too much heat in the top of the cage. When you have a large collection it would obviously cost you twice as much in electricity. For babies a lot of people tend to keep their temps lower than their adults for multiple reasons. For one, light bulbs are not like the sun, you really can't reach out at the sun and get burnt by it whereas a lightbulb can produce a thermal burn quickly with a small change in proximity to the bulb. You must also realize that these generalizations and "recommendations" are targeted usually at the new keeper. I keep the temps of my babies higher than some people keep their adults. With a proper setup and good temperature gradients you should have no problem keeping your babies temps a bit higher, just be careful if raising babies in tubs whereas its much harder to achieve a temp gradient.

See ya,

Todd

Okay thanks for the explaination, i just also never understood why some people dont even use basking lights for their babies... like NONE? lol that just seems overkill or should i say underkill to me and like i said im just trying to learn and thanks for the response

 

[Pure]

Instead of multiple basking lamps...I try to provide a multitude of basking areas under the same lamp, to allow the cham to pick and choose what temps he wants to bask at. But I also don't depend on plants to provide my basking areas. I build them out of bamboo, like a scaffolding structure with multiple levels. The chams seem to prefer these structures, I assume because they are more solid than loose branches. My guys hardly ever use the trees/plants for climbing or basking.

 

[kinyonga]

Regarding basking lights for babies...IMHO their tiny bodies can heat up too fast and dehydrate quickly so keeping them in more moderate conditions helps avoid those problems. I believe that in the wild the babies are lower in the trees and maybe even in the grass so they wouldn't be sitting in the hottest places.
"Neonates were found on blades of grass"...
http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=...eLHXyi&sig=AFQjCNFfG08DhjbYsd37prrE_2W2R3C3YQ

I also like them to grow slower rather than too fast and moderate temperatures play a part in this.

 

[gwjones777]

Regarding basking lights for babies...IMHO their tiny bodies can heat up too fast and dehydrate quickly so keeping them in more moderate conditions helps avoid those problems. I believe that in the wild the babies are lower in the trees and maybe even in the grass so they wouldn't be sitting in the hottest places.
"Neonates were found on blades of grass"...
http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=...eLHXyi&sig=AFQjCNFfG08DhjbYsd37prrE_2W2R3C3YQ

I also like them to grow slower rather than too fast and moderate temperatures play a part in this.

I wow i never thought about them living lower ,thanks for that bit of info.

And to the member suggesting the bamboo used to create different basking levels with one heat source.....that's how i have mine set up, although i don't have a chameleon yet (and won't for a couple weeks) i've just got all my ideas from alot of set ups on this forum and have seen several people with the same idea for creating a more dynamic basking area, i wonder why more people don't suggest it to new cham owners when asking caging advice

 

[SS4Luck]

i remember reading on the forum that alot of babies tend to stay in bushes or shrubs where they wouldnt be getting the sun/temps of up in the trees