Baby Veiled Chameleon Lighting

cdw66

New Member
Hello everyone. To begin, I just want to say that I'm new here on the forums so please be patient with me. Also, I'm new to chameleons but have done my research and am ready for one. Despite my research I still have a few questions before I buy my Chameleon. My first question is what wattage of bulb would be good for a baby Veiled Chameleon during the daytime? Where I live on the East Coast it isn't typically very hot but in the Summer it can be and in the Winter it can be pretty cold. I want to find just the right basking bulb for a baby Veiled. My second and final question is wether or not I should buy a nighttime basking bulb or if it's just a waste of money. In my house at night it is typically around room temperature at 68-69 degrees Fahrenheit if that helps. Thank you! :)
 
Hey! Welcome to the forums! :) First off, here is a great caresheet for veileds as well as info for females and egg laying bins.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/

As for lighting, you need two types. First, a good tube style T8 or T5 High Output light for UVB. Unless your chameleon is exposed to sunlight that does not pass through glass or plastic they need the UVB light for good health. You can use a 5.0 or 6% for a baby, and when older you could up that to 10.0 or 12% (But its not necessary). For the second light, you'll need a basking light. I use a 60 watt household incandescent bulb in a dome fixture. Depending on how close the bulb is to the basking site you may need more or less. For a baby you will not need a basking temp to be as high. As for lighting at night, you don't need any. It is not recommended and can lead to health issues. If you need heating at night, and most don't, use a ceramic heat emitter. You shouldn't need this unless your enclosure temps fall below 50 degrees.

As for some ideas, here is a link to my blog with lighting schedules for spring and winter months. It also gives some ideas on misting schedules.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/771-spring-lighting-schedule.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/decadancin/754-winter-lighting-schedule.html

Hope all this helps! :cool:
 
Thanks so much for the help! I have a reptisun 5.0 so I'm ok with UVB lighting. Also I think I'll go with a 75 watt bulb. (Unless you would recommend something else similar to your setup.) Also I think I will just set the light fixture on top of the cage but I've heard it could cause burns so I'm still not sure. Thank you!
 
I would have the dome a little off the screen so the metal does not get too hot. Its not really about the wattage, but about the desired temperature. You could have a 100 degree basking spot and that could be way too hot for a baby! Check out what bulb gives you the temperature you are going for and stick with that. The bulb may need to be less wattage in the summer months because the air is warmer.
 
Ok, I'll try that. That was my original idea but I couldn't find anything to elevate the bulb and fixture, as ridiculous as it seems. Again, thanks so much for your help. I'm glad to be am member of the forums.
 
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