Uv burns??

[Harriet]

Hi this is my first post on here since my last chameleon sadly passed away last year poor little guy had kidney failure and unfortunately the vet tried his best but he didn't make it

We now have a new male veiled called stewie he showing good signs of being a healthy ( and moody! ) chameleon.
However recently he has got in to a habit of climbing up and sitting on top of his uv tube. Even though we have tried to make it so he cant get to it he seems to keep finding a way!

I think this could be because the other light bulb we have is connected to temperature sensor dimmer so as we have had a recent spell of warm weather the temperature is warmer than usual therefore The bulb has been switching it self off so he hasn't had light to bask in. We have now changed that bulb to a 50watt to try and ensure it doesn't get too hot and he still has light for basking. I think this could be why he has been getting close to the uvb.

I think this has also affected his appetite as he's not eating much at all at the moment.

I was just wondering if it is harmful for him to get so close to it and if it will do him damage?

 

[carol5208]

my first question is why do you have it INSIDE the cage? post a pic of your set up please. I know you live over seas and you guys do your set ups differently but I always think having lights inside the cage is a danger.

 

[Harriet]

Well its not going to do much good on the outside! We have a glass/wooden viv type set up.
The pics on its side for some reason cant rotate it.

 

[SuperSambava72]

It should never be inside the enclosure.

 

[Harriet]

But ive read previously that it wont emit through the glass outside of the enclosure?

 

[froggielog]

But ive read previously that it wont emit through the glass outside of the enclosure?

There are screen tops you can put on the top to set the lights on But having lights inside can lead to serious burns

 

[Harriet]

The reason we didnt opt for a mesh screen type of enclosure was because living in the uk our temp isnt warm enough to maintain a high enough temp or humidity for him in his enclosure. I would be worried that with a mesh type top it would be to cold and not hold good humidity for him.

All the pet stores I have visited that have chameleons all have uvb lights inside their enclosure as they are all similar set ups to my own.

If it is very dangerous and likely to cause him harm I will have to change something. After he has been sitting on it the past 2days should I be worried? Is there going to be any health issues caused but this?

 

[Sabayon]

The reason we didnt opt for a mesh screen type of enclosure was because living in the uk our temp isnt warm enough to maintain a high enough temp or humidity for him in his enclosure. I would be worried that with a mesh type top it would be to cold and not hold good humidity for him.

All the pet stores I have visited that have chameleons all have uvb lights inside their enclosure as they are all similar set ups to my own.

If it is very dangerous and likely to cause him harm I will have to change something. After he has been sitting on it the past 2days should I be worried? Is there going to be any health issues caused but this?

Where I live it is not so warm either and also very dry. After getting a 100W light and a warm mist humidifier, I have zero problems maintaining proper levels in an all screen enclosure.

 

[carol5208]

yes, I thought maybe you would have screen on the top for the light to shine through. It is just a dangerous situation having the lights inside. There was a chameleon on here that crawled up inside the light and it burned its leg off. the light was inside the cage. Just my opinion, but I would find a different way to light your cage. Yes, it can work, but there are obvious risks you are taking.