A couple questions for everyone.

[ChamNovice]

These questions pertain to Veiled Chameleons. State answers for any species, but note what species you are referring to in your response please.

Questions:

1. If it is hot inside your house say... 86ish, and ambient cage temps are around 86-90(with basking and UVB lamp on), is it ok to turn off the basking lamp? Or should it just be dimmed down? Basking temps would reach 105+ if light is left on @100%, no idea what they would be if dimmed down.

2. In the event of a power outage, what would you do? I am talking about a prolonged power outage for us colder climate folks in the winter mostly. Even in spring/summer/fall if the power was out for a few days, there would be no basking or UVB. Again... colder climates where temps outside are only getting 60-70(F).

EX: We had an ice storm this winter, power was out for 4 days. We have a wood burning fireplace so it was going. The room where the reptiles are kept got to be 52(F) at the coldest point, it stayed at that temp for 2 days. I did not have chamelons at that time, just leopard geckos. I have figured out how to keep them warm, but have no idea how it would be done with chameleons.

 

[Fidget321]

Hi there,

Also just input here - What type of cage are you holding your cham in?
I have a mesh cage, and when the power went out during our cold front, i wrapped a blanket around her cage in order to keep the existing heat inside the cage as long as possible during the night.
(Leaving a small hole in the blanket for oxygen of course)

Hope this helps.

 

[jojackson]

1. If it is hot inside your house say... 86ish, and ambient cage temps are around 86-90(with basking and UVB lamp on), is it ok to turn off the basking lamp? Or should it just be dimmed down? Basking temps would reach 105+ if light is left on @100%, no idea what they would be if dimmed down.

You could install a thermostat (probe type) which the heat source plugs into. Set the probe at the basking spot, and set the thermostat at the required basking temp.
Thermostat will switch off (or dim, dep on type of thermostat*) the heat light when it reaches desired temp.
If Ambient temps increase you will need to take steps to keep your animal/s from overheating (misting etc etc)

* some heat sources/light types are not suitable for dimmer thermostats

2. In the event of a power outage, what would you do? I am talking about a prolonged power outage for us colder climate folks in the winter mostly. Even in spring/summer/fall if the power was out for a few days, there would be no basking or UVB. Again... colder climates where temps outside are only getting 60-70(F).

In warmer months you are left with outside basking in place of heat lamp. In colder climates, barring an emergency gas powered generator, you may be in trouble. Obviously move the cham to the warmest part of the house if possible. IN emergencys, a towel wrapped hot water bottle or heat chemipak can be used (for most reptiles) chams might be tricky, a healthy cham wont like the nessesary confinement.
Fidgets Idea is good.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

If the temperature in the house is 86, no basking spot is needed. I would turn them off.

If possible, move the chameleons to the room with the wood burning stove.

-Brad

 

[ChamNovice]

Thank you for your replies so far, helpful information. None of these issues currently. The power doesn't go out that often here. I was just trying to come up with situations that might require some quick thinking. Better to have an idea or plan in advance, than run around and try to figure it out like I had to with the geckos. All my reptile enclosures have battery back-up UPS's, but they only last for about 8 hours. Keep any ideas coming, I'm sure this could be helpful to someone else if it happens to them.

 

[jojackson]

If the temperature in the house is 86, no basking spot is needed. I would turn them off.


-Brad

Brad I must point out, indeed if the ambient temp is 86f, the cham will be at its ideal body temp. That said, A reptile needs a spot greater than its ideal body temp in order to maintain it. It then moves away. This is thermoregulation 101.

You would need to be sure the ambient temp was consistant, and this is rarely the case, hence the reccomendation of a thermostat.

Further, a spot cooler than the ambient temperature is also required for a reptiles wellbeing. Reptiles also need to be cooler at times, as this lowers the
metabolism and conserves energy, not just at night.

Nature affords such gradients and in attempting to recreate as natural conditions as possible, so must we provide a suitable gradient.

Certainly if ambient temp continues to climb, you must act to ensure your chams wellbeing, whatever this requires. If you use a reliable thermostat, it will not switch heat back on unless temps at the probe drop below the setting anyway. The whole point of a thermostat is to prevent overheating.

However, should you switch the heat off entirely and temps drop for a length of time, your chams body temp will drop below optimum and without the heat it will not be able to regulate it. A lower than optimal body temp and lower metabolism, means less than efficient digestion to begin with.

Its best to let your animal regulate its own body where ever possible.
aka, unless your experiencing a heatwave, the heat is best left on.
You may get away with it for a short time, but I would never switch off heat entirely in normal weather, especially if the animal is not in peak condition.

cheers

 

[reptilemancan]

Brad I must point out, indeed if the ambient temp is 86f, the cham will be at its ideal body temp. That said, A reptile needs a spot greater than its ideal body temp in order to maintain it. It then moves away. This is thermoregulation 101.

You would need to be sure the ambient temp was consistant, and this is rarely the case, hence the reccomendation of a thermostat.

Further, a spot cooler than the ambient temperature is also required for a reptiles wellbeing. Reptiles also need to be cooler at times, as this lowers the
metabolism and conserves energy, not just at night.

Nature affords such gradients and in attempting to recreate as natural conditions as possible, so must we provide a suitable gradient.

Certainly if ambient temp continues to climb, you must act to ensure your chams wellbeing, whatever this requires. If you use a reliable thermostat, it will not switch heat back on unless temps at the probe drop below the setting anyway. The whole point of a thermostat is to prevent overheating.

However, should you switch the heat off entirely and temps drop for a length of time, your chams body temp will drop below optimum and without the heat it will not be able to regulate it. A lower than optimal body temp and lower metabolism, means less than efficient digestion to begin with.

Its best to let your animal regulate its own body where ever possible.
aka, unless your experiencing a heatwave, the heat is best left on.
You may get away with it for a short time, but I would never switch off heat entirely in normal weather, especially if the animal is not in peak condition.

cheers

i do have to agree with what is writen above