basking light....

[AgentP77]

Hello everyone,
So i bought a basking light for agent p's new cage. she has a uvb light already but i had a red light and i was told to get rid of it so i got her a basking light and she will not leave the spot that it shines on. she will just sit there for an hour before i turn it off cuz im freaking out. Is this normal?

 

[KarmaChameleon1337]

It's just basking.

 

[carol5208]

what are your cage temps?

 

[AgentP77]

it doesnt get lower than 70 even at night because my house is pretty warm but under the lights its around 80. i just think its kinda weird that all she will do is sit under it, she would rather do that than eat. and as soon as i turn it off shes off to go find food

 

[jr andrade]

Seems pretty normal except the act of basking for hours should make her ravenous. Kinda odd that she won't simultaneously bask and eat? Thats how mines are. Early in the morning i turn lights on. 20 minutes later everybody seems like they havent eaten in days and will eat like cows.

 

[DavidBuchan]

Your temps seem ok, she will bask to get the heat to digest food properly. Female veileds will live longer with basking spots of 80-82F maximum to try and keep egg production under control. Lizards always like to bask in the hottest spots they can find
Here's a great caresheet with all the basic info to keep her happy and healthy - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html

 

[Solid Snake]

You should have your lighting on a 12 on 12 off schedule. If she is basking for 12 hrs striaght it could mean that your ambient temp is to low,(not likely) or fighting off infection by giving herself a "fever". If your only turning it on for part of the day, leave it on.

 

[AgentP77]

hmmmmmm i hope its not that shes fighting off infection =/ it just so weird she was perfectly fine with the red bulb... which maybe didnt give off as much heat. typically all my lights are on a 12 hour schedule this one has just been a little different because of her not leave to eat, but i will leave it on all day tomorrow and keep a close eye on her. If she stays under it all day should i turn it off???

 

[Solid Snake]

No dont turn it off. Just check and make sure the temps are appropriate. You want a gradient inside the chams living space, this is key. The animal will thermoregulate all on its own

EDIT: It may also mean the animal just has food inside it needs to digest, this is why they need heat. Proper calcium absorbtion/usage is why they need uvb.

 

[carol5208]

if she stays under it, there is a reason. Either she wants to stay warm or she is doing what she needs to do to digest her food. As long as she is not forced to stay under there, then i would not worry. I mean she can get up and walk away if she wants to right? The white light simulates the sun better I think and is more natural to them than a red light. My chamelon will bask for hours on end under its basking bulb. I don't see it as a problem. Like I said, if she has the freedom to move away and she does not want to, I see no harm in it. just my opinion.

 

[AgentP77]

thanks for all ur imput everyone. thats basically what i was thinking that she can move away from it so it must not be that bad for her