Blacklight worries.

[gavriel]

I'm a night owl in a smallish apartment so there isn't much room to space myself from my panther chameleon Mojo while he sleeps. Currently his schedule is lights on at 7am, off at 7pm, which he is tucking himself into bed around 630 on his favorite branch. I am often up till midnight watching tv and working on my laptop. About a week ago I noticed that my light messes with his sleep sometimes. So I switched to a couple small conventional black lights (bulbs, not tubes) and a colored red bulb so there is enough light for me to not injure my toes on the corners of my couch and coffee table, but still provide enough darkness for him. Think red light from any combat movie.

This leads me to my question. Mojo's enclosure is sitting in my living/dining room away where my tv and computers are and he is spaced about 15 feet away from my floor lamp. I have been told that black lights put off some pretty good UVB light and I am wanting to make sure this isn't going to hurt him. I know, pretty silly question since UVB doesn't travel well through screen and such, but I am wanting to know if anyone has any knowledge of this. I'm probably worrying way to much but it's not like he can yell at me to turn out the light or give any external sign that he don't like it.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I just covered the cages with a dark blanket when I was up in the same room of sleeping chams. Much easier.

 

[carol5208]

you can solve your problem by covering his cage at night with a sheet or some other type of cover. I cover both of my cages at night as my computer is in the room and I have a bird that requires light who goes to bed long after the chameleons.

 

[carol5208]

I just covered the cages with a dark blanket when I was up in the same room of sleeping chams. Much easier.

ha ha Dayna! Great minds think alike!!

 

[gavriel]

I have thought about that. Enclosure is 4W 4H 2D with lights and misting system up top so I'll have to rig up something that only covers the front and sides. Maybe use magnets or hooks to secure it.
I wasn't wanting it to cover the top because he wakes up before I do and I'd rather not catch fire to the cover. Just thought that with black lights I could allow him to still retain his air circulation and not roast him by possible fire.

 

[carol5208]

yes, I know what you mean about the lights and catching fire to the cover. That would be the only downside, if you have them on a timer. I had that happen once and boy the cover was red hot. I don't have mine on a timer anymore as I get up early everyday way before their lights need to come on.

 

[gavriel]

Yeah, I have his entire enclosure set on timer. Lights and misting system are on two separate timers and with the work that I do, it is not uncommon for me to work normal 8 hours days, then swap and be pulling 18 to 24 hour days depending on what the government wants and needs. I've even been gone for entire weekends in the office so I need the timers to keep his schedule right.

Thanks for sharing what you do for unwanted light for your chams. I'll rig up something this weekend.

 

[Venutus1]

Hi!
You bring up a great point!
We do not want to disturb out pets beauty sleep!

but,
Just to clarify...
incandescent blacklight bulbs do not put off UV B in any significant amount.


(and they can not be used to synthesize vit d.)

they do put off UV A though!

Using the RED night light would make the night time appear "darker" for him.

While using the black lights with the UV A may actually make it appear like it is quite a bit brighter to the cham, than it seems to our eyes.

I am sorry to butt in...
but just wanted to make sure the correct information is circulating about.


Cheers!
Todd

Here is what John Courtney Smith & the experts in UK have to say about UV A and its part in reptile vision:
UVA:
Unlike humans, who have ‘trichromatic’ vision, enabling us to see only three primary colours - red, green and blue, we now know that many reptiles, amphibians and other species, have ‘tetrachromatic’ vision. This enables them to see the shorter UVA wavelengths (320-400 nm) of the spectrum that form a part of natural sunlight. Reds are redder and greens are greener – life without UV would be the equivalent of us seeing everything in black and white, only worse. This UVA, or fourth primary, can be critical for behaviour and even affect appetite. A reluctant feeder may need UVA light to stimulate its appetite. UVA is also needed to induce reproductive behaviour. Lizards have been found to possess ultra violet reflectance patterns on their skin, which indicate reproductive glands in particular. Female panther chameleons seek out UV light when preparing to lay eggs. Depriving a reptile of UVA light would be like making it live in a darkened room.

I'm a night owl in a smallish apartment so there isn't much room to space myself from my panther chameleon Mojo while he sleeps. Currently his schedule is lights on at 7am, off at 7pm, which he is tucking himself into bed around 630 on his favorite branch. I am often up till midnight watching tv and working on my laptop. About a week ago I noticed that my light messes with his sleep sometimes. So I switched to a couple small conventional black lights (bulbs, not tubes) and a colored red bulb so there is enough light for me to not injure my toes on the corners of my couch and coffee table, but still provide enough darkness for him. Think red light from any combat movie.

This leads me to my question. Mojo's enclosure is sitting in my living/dining room away where my tv and computers are and he is spaced about 15 feet away from my floor lamp. I have been told that black lights put off some pretty good UVB light and I am wanting to make sure this isn't going to hurt him. I know, pretty silly question since UVB doesn't travel well through screen and such, but I am wanting to know if anyone has any knowledge of this. I'm probably worrying way to much but it's not like he can yell at me to turn out the light or give any external sign that he don't like it.

 

[gavriel]

Thank you for sharing this great information. I assumed my friend was correct about the UVB since he works as a vet tech but looks like I need to start looking into things myself. The information about the red bulb is great. I already ripped that out of the lamp so incase it is bothering him, it's corrected. I also have already started building a shade that connects with magnets to his enclosure. Hot glued washers to the top of his enclosure and bought a shower curtain with magnets sewed into the bottom. Flip curtain upside down and trim to fit, works great.

Thanks again to all the people who contributed their knowledge and help.

 

[pssh]

With almost all of my chameleons, if I cover the sides of the cages and the light source is not above the cage, they don't wake up. Most of them are not bothered by a red or dark purple light either (if it is not actually on/next to the cage.) However, some wont go to sleep unless it is dark, so I have to keep the room dark until they are asleep and then they dont wake up if I turn the lights on (with the methods I mentioned.)

 

[Carlton]

I have thought about that. Enclosure is 4W 4H 2D with lights and misting system up top so I'll have to rig up something that only covers the front and sides. Maybe use magnets or hooks to secure it.
I wasn't wanting it to cover the top because he wakes up before I do and I'd rather not catch fire to the cover. Just thought that with black lights I could allow him to still retain his air circulation and not roast him by possible fire.

Magnets or that strip magnet stuff are great ideas! Simpler and less fussy than clips or clothes pins.