Using a stronger heat source for a more usable temperature gradient

[Mtnlaurel]

So first off, in my case, we are talking about a 6 month old male panther chameleon.

I tried the standard incandescent household bulb, in 60w and 100w and ran about 6 thermometers. I could get a very small usable area of space within my upper temperature range. He constantly hung out directly underneath and always looked dark and cold.

The far end fell off into around 65-72, and this probably compromised 85-90% of his cage.

So it falls to reason that if I use a more powerful radiant heat source, farther away, it would cast a larger heat "shadow", giving this guy more area to actually use in his cage without hovering right under a light bulb.

My first concern is thermal burns, particularly from the surface of the screen, then secondly from basking under too strong a heat source.

So what is the upper safe range for temperatures for this guy at the very very top perch? What is the safe temperature of the screen? It seems that if they are warm at a lower perch, thy won't be right up under the light anyway, but I can't allow any areas in the cage outside of the safe range.

A cursory google search says things begin to cook at extended temperatures at 109. So clearly the screen needs to be comfortably lower than that.

For instance, 103 is too hot to live in full time, but is it a problem to have a small area that high with plenty of usable space below?

What am I not considering?

 

[Carlton]

You could also consider a second heat bulb (again, a modestly powered one) located lower down near one side of the cage. You might not need it at all times of year, maybe just when its colder in the room. The problem with too high a temp in one basking spot is, that your cham is attracted to the heat but he can't necessarily judge WHEN to move farther away to avoid a burn. And, the temp of the screen mesh itself isn't really the issue. The heat sensors in their skin are not that finely tuned. They are basking to warm up their internal organs, not their skins. Its safer to have modest temperatures over more of the cage than one hotter spot. The temps in the ROOM will affect how warm the non-basking areas of the cage get. What's the temp in the room away from the cage?

 

[Pitcard]

I've been using the two bulb method. I noticed my panther only basking as well, and now that he has another heat source and more branches to choose from, I see him all over the place.

 

[Mtnlaurel]

Thanks for your replies guys. Ambient room temps are anywhere from 65-80. I heat exclusively with a wood stove.


It seems to me that burns would be more likely to be caused by sitting directly underneath an underpowered heat source trying to compensate for being chilled, rather than far away from a larger radiant heat source, like a ceramic heat emitter placed an adequate distance from the perch. Kind of how you would back right up to a little kerosene heater in a freezing cold room, but you can kick back with your feet up a comfortable distance from a bonfire.

What is the advantage of two heat sources spaced over the side of a cage compared to one strong one on top? I was thinking that chams expect & look for heat and light from above, not laterally. So top mounted heating might be better?? I could be wrong.

My question is how hot is dangerous hot, and why? (Beyond the obvious answer of blisters .... metabolism? Sleep?? Digestion? Dehydration? Balance?) because I honestly think one large radiant heat source is better than one small, or even two small staggered. Just don't fly too close to the sun, ;-)

 

[Carlton]

I don't know how else to explain it, but again the issue is your cham's ability to sense when it has gotten TOO hot under the lamp. A cham basking under a less powerful lamp may take longer to warm up, but the chance of a burn is a lot lower because the actual temperature isn't hot enough to damage tissue. Another safe thing you could do is to lower the air exchange in the top of the cage by putting something over the mesh sides. It will allow the cage contents to warm up more and may "spread" out the area the cham uses.

 

[Mendez]

I am having the same idea that you. A stronger light source from further away creates a larger cone with the same temperature inside the cage. Logically it makes sense as long as you make sure that the light is the correct distance. I see this thread was made in 2016. Do you mind sharing what you did?

 

[Decadancin]

I am having the same idea that you. A stronger light source from further away creates a larger cone with the same temperature inside the cage. Logically it makes sense as long as you make sure that the light is the correct distance. I see this thread was made in 2016. Do you mind sharing what you did?

I have always used two bulbs as well. I don't like using on light that can be too intense and risk burns. This allows for more than one spot for basking and is more natural in my opinion.