basking with mouth open
- Thread starter gman
- Start date
ir0k
New Member
hey there, sorry I cant answer the basking part. but as for lights out, my cham ends up finding a spot when lights are out. sometimes she climbs on areas of the cage that she usually doesn't. but eventually she finds a nice spot to sleep. Im sure yours will also. good luck with your new cham. Im no expert by any means, but I don't think mouth open when basking is a bad thing, I think your cham is trying to regulate temperature. but im sure a senior member will chime in with some more specific info on that matter.
good luck again. post up some pics also, we love to see him
good luck again. post up some pics also, we love to see him
SoCal Soldier
New Member
From what I have read on here when they open their mouths, it means they are hot and are regulating their body temp
MRDEEDUB83
New Member
if his mouth is open he is to hot an thermoreguating his temperature i would get it down a few degrees
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
If he is only doing that while basking, then the temps might be a tad high for him as others have said. If you find him doing it, while not under the light, then he could have a respiratory problem going on. The 12 on 12 off is just a general suggestion for lighting. I adjust my lights indoors to the sun up/sun down method. If they are outside in the cages, and not in, then it goes with mother nature. So less light in the winter and more in summer. What I am saying is, it does not have to be 12/12. That is just a good base point.
fluxlizard
Avid Member
It is normal as long as he can move away from the heat if he want, and if you have set up a proper thermogradient where he can choose from a range of temperatures, rather than a "hot" spot and cold terrarrium.
Sometimes, especially after eating or drinking, lizards like to "cook" a bit and raise their core temperature and when doing this they will pant for a little while.
One reason I prefer thermogradients rather than hot spots with exact temperatures is because lizards are known to raise their body temperature higher than their preferred optimal temperature (POT) at times- sometimes for digestion, sometimes they even give themselves fever to fight infection.
So the answer to your question is- it depends on how you have set things up. If you have a thermogradient, then you can feel safe knowing he is doing what his instinct is telling him. If you have only a hot spot, you can't be so certain without experience if your hot spot is too warm or if he is simply doing what he feels a need to do...
If he does it often and when he is away from the heat- you need to be on the watch for a respiratory infection...
Sometimes, especially after eating or drinking, lizards like to "cook" a bit and raise their core temperature and when doing this they will pant for a little while.
One reason I prefer thermogradients rather than hot spots with exact temperatures is because lizards are known to raise their body temperature higher than their preferred optimal temperature (POT) at times- sometimes for digestion, sometimes they even give themselves fever to fight infection.
So the answer to your question is- it depends on how you have set things up. If you have a thermogradient, then you can feel safe knowing he is doing what his instinct is telling him. If you have only a hot spot, you can't be so certain without experience if your hot spot is too warm or if he is simply doing what he feels a need to do...
If he does it often and when he is away from the heat- you need to be on the watch for a respiratory infection...
