Basking Spot: 88 or 97

[prolecat]

I have two diff bulbs a 40w reptile bulb and a 60w household. They produce basking temps of 88 and up to 97 respectively.

3 month old veiled in glass terrarium. which should i use what should i do? With the 60w i do notice him basking with his mouth open.

 

[carol5208]

i would try a 20 watt and try to get the basking down to the low 80's.

 

[ChromaChameleons]

you can always raise the basking fixture to produce a cooler temp....

 

[DavidBuchan]

Hello, welcome to the forum Here's a great blog with all the info you need for a Veiled - Carol is right, you have a baby, 80F is enough to bask for now, 88F is good for an adult male - https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/chameleonsinmyhouse/395-veiled-chameleon-care-sheet.html the blog has a part 2 with info on gutloading, etc......

 

[prolecat]

update: with a couple hours of the 40w bulb i noticed the chameleon climbed all the way to the top and began to climb on the screen right under the dome fixture. ive had him for a week and he has never climbed upside down on the screen before.

I guess this bulb isnt hot enough for him? If i switch back is 97 in the basking spot too much? it is a small glass vivarium so i didnt want to overdo it.

the temperatures in the middle of the terr are in the 80's and the bottom where i have paper towels that are moist was 78 i believe. Those numbers are with the 60w bulb.

 

[prolecat]

ok well after reading the replies i guess i will stick with the 40w. i hope he will stop climbing on the screen and not do it while i am not home and cant stop him.

 

[DavidBuchan]

ok well after reading the replies i guess i will stick with the 40w. i hope he will stop climbing on the screen and not do it while i am not home and cant stop him.

Youngsters will often climb around on the screen. Just make sure he can't get close enough to lights to burn himself.......

 

[EvilLost]

I have two diff bulbs a 40w reptile bulb and a 60w household. They produce basking temps of 88 and up to 97 respectively.

3 month old veiled in glass terrarium. which should i use what should i do? With the 60w i do notice him basking with his mouth open.

I see you have already got good replies on this matter so I won't go into detail, but you should be aware that those "reptile" bulbs are the EXACT SAME THING as those "household" bulbs. There is *absolutely* nothing special about reptile bulbs (besides the inflated price).

All that matters is your wattage, and 97F in the basking spot in a GLASS cage is absolutely too hot, especially for a baby.

Babies will tend to climb screen and whatnot, but make sure your bulb isn't sitting directly on the screen so he can't touch it (through the screen) and end up burning himself....

 

[prolecat]

yea i know it was my girlfriend that bought it a while back for my beardie so i reused it. and ok looks like ill stick with the 40w thanks guys