Basking question

[audiorazor]

I have a 18x18x36 mesh cage with a 4 month old veiled chameleon in it. The company that sold me the kit sent a 75 watt basking bulb with it. That is putting the closest basking spot at around 95 degrees with obvious decreases as you go down the tank. Is this too hot and can I trust my cham to self regulate? He has been basking with his mouth open the last few days (no wheezing or heavy breathing). Just wondering if I should switch to a lower wattage bulb or leave as is and let him move around.

Thanks.

 

[nightanole]

If your profile pic is your cham, remove the bulb. The cham is still a baby and shouldnt have a basking bulb till 4-5 months old.

95 is in the upper good range. I would make sure it never goes hotter than that on the hot summer days. You might just be able to move the bulb 6" farther out. This would double the basking spot, and reduce the temps down to the lower 90's.

 

[bradley]

I use basking bulbs for baby veileds from the day they hatch. I keep the basking spot at 85f when younger and increase this to about 90f at 6 months old for males. Females are kept a bit cooler. In the uk we use thermostats so we dont have to bother with moving the bulb and the branch. We just set the thermostat to the temp we want and it turns the bulb off or dims it once it reaches the correct temperature.