Basking

[JohnDoe]

Is it normal to have my lil girl bask all day? I feed her every other day, but she just chills under her basking light all day.Temp is between 80-84 degrees

 

[camimom]

Yes. chams spend most of their day basking.. its normal.

 

[Decadancin]

How old is she? Feeding every other day? If she is very young I would think every day would be better, but as she gets older I would cut back. Basking temp should be good and sounds normal to me.

 

[fluxlizard]

Yes. chams spend most of their day basking.. its normal.

Uh- no it isn't normal. At least if I understand the OP correctly that the chameleon is sitting under the heat lamp all day. Mine certainly do not do this- they move in and out of the warmest area, just as they would in nature where they move in and out of the sunshine and shade to regulate temperature.

But normal may not be what is wanted.

I suppose it is "normal" for the temperature situation, and maybe that is what you mean.

But- any lizard that sits all day under a heat lamp is there because it is trying unsuccessfully to raise it's body temperature to it's preferred and normal operating temperature. If it can't do it so it stays there waiting for it to happen when no better options are available.

Rather than retyping the whole thing- for an explaination about why you may or may not wish for yours to do this and why this is not normal, see my post earlier today here:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/basking-hot-enough-100619/#post925868

 

[Cainschams]

Uh- no it isn't normal. At least if I understand the OP correctly that the chameleon is sitting under the heat lamp all day. Mine certainly do not do this- they move in and out of the warmest area, just as they would in nature where they move in and out of the sunshine and shade to regulate temperature.

But normal may not be what is wanted.

I suppose it is "normal" for the temperature situation, and maybe that is what you mean.

But- any lizard that sits all day under a heat lamp is there because it is trying unsuccessfully to raise it's body temperature to it's preferred and normal operating temperature. If it can't do it so it stays there waiting for it to happen when no better options are available.

Rather than retyping the whole thing- for an explaination about why you may or may not wish for yours to do this and why this is not normal, see my post earlier today here:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/basking-hot-enough-100619/#post925868

I completely agree!! Heck, I give my montanes a higher basking site than the OP. Ive never had a cham sit and bask constantly unless there was a problem.

 

[chamerina]

I completely agree!! Heck, I give my montanes a higher basking site than the OP. Ive never had a cham sit and bask constantly unless there was a problem.

Hey Cain! Just curious as to what basking temp you would recommend for a 6 month Jacksons.

Currently we have the highest branch to reach about 83, but he hangs out most of the day about 4 inches under it on another branch.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[camimom]

All of my chams sit and bask.

Do they sit in the exact same spot, no.
But they bask mostly all day. and My temps are just fine.

They have the abililty to move around and go wherever they want, but they usually stay within the same few branches.

 

[Cainschams]

Hey Cain! Just curious as to what basking temp you would recommend for a 6 month Jacksons.

Currently we have the highest branch to reach about 83, but he hangs out most of the day about 4 inches under it on another branch.

Thanks for the advice!

Sounds like he is happy where it is at. If he was climbing on top of the screen or trying to get real close to the bulb then I would recommend a higher temp. The fact he is staying below the "intended" basking site would also suggest he is comfortable at his spot. Mid 80s seem to be sufficient with the species I have kept. By giving them a nice gradient they can chose where they feel comfortable as you can see

Edit: Ive also had WC animals come in and just sit in the basking site and whither away. This is why I can see sitting all day in the basking site a possible problem.

 

[Lovereps]

Edit: Ive also had WC animals come in and just sit in the basking site and whither away. This is why I can see sitting all day in the basking site a possible problem.

Aside from the good info already posted....
One symptom of internal parasites is wanting to always be in a hot spot or a cold spot.
That might explain at least some of your withering away chams, Cain.

Even my Jackson's who love to bask, move around their enclosures.

 

[Cainschams]

Aside from the good info already posted....
One symptom of internal parasites is wanting to always be in a hot spot or a cold spot.
That might explain at least some of your withering away chams, Cain.

Even my Jackson's who love to bask, move around their enclosures.

You are correct. I got a big shipment of tavetana quite a few years back. The person gave them panacur before they reached me. I forget how many I got but only one survived. I got 5 or so. All the ones that sat in the basking site constantly had terrible stinky poo and visible worms. I couldnt get them to drink, eat or anything beside sit and bask. The one that didnt sit in the basking site didnt have the stinky nasty poo the other ones did.

This is one reason why it is NOT normal for an animal to bask all day.

 

[chamerina]

Sounds like he is happy where it is at. If he was climbing on top of the screen or trying to get real close to the bulb then I would recommend a higher temp. The fact he is staying below the "intended" basking site would also suggest he is comfortable at his spot. Mid 80s seem to be sufficient with the species I have kept. By giving them a nice gradient they can chose where they feel comfortable as you can see

Edit: Ive also had WC animals come in and just sit in the basking site and whither away. This is why I can see sitting all day in the basking site a possible problem.

Oh, good! I'm glad he's happy. If only chameleons could talk. Ha!

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[JohnDoe]

Thanks everyone for the input. She just chills for a while walks around and goes back. i had an initial problem where she was climbing the foliage to get as close to the basking lamp so i moved her branch closer, but i was told to keep her temps low. I am feeding here every other day 6-9 crickets. i switch it up and am gut loading the crickets. She is almost 5 months old.