Eyes closed and lighting question..

[mattj]

I know chams shouldn't have their eyes closed during the daytime. My cham is only in my care a few days now. He looks good in every other aspect. But I just noticed him with both eyes closed. I did just put two decent sized live plants that have diminished the available light in the cage. And I am wondering if maybe he just thinks its getting darker out.

I also have never had a cham this young before and dont know if they require more sleep than an adult?

The other thing I wanted to ask was, as of right now I have my light timers set for on at 8am and off at 9pm. I am wondering if I should change that and make it a littler earlier. I realize that may seem a little late but where I am right now it doesnt get light out till almost 7 am anyway right now.

Any suggestions?

 

[carol5208]

If the plants are blocking out your light and making the cage dark, then I would cut them bak away from the lights. Was your cham closing its eyes before you added the plants? No they are not like human babies, or puppies...they sleep the same as adults. When it is evening they go to sleep and wake up in the morning. They sleep all night. I would adjust your timer to sun up sun down. If it is dark outside, there is no need to leave the lights on another 3 hours. Try to mimic the outdoors as much as possible.

 

[mattj]

The only reason I went so crazy with the plants was after looking at some of the pics of forum members enclosures in stickied thread. I mean its not completely dark, but where he is right now hes kind of in a darker part.

He was closing one eye and rubbing it on the fake vines I have in there. That was here and there, for the majority of the day hes awake and active.

If i mimicked the outdoors right now hes not getting near the 12 hours of light most people suggest.

 

[carol5208]

if he is closing his eyes and rubbing them on the branches then it probably has nothing to do with the lights being dark. They really dont rub them on anything unless they are trying to get shed off or something. What plants are you using? Maybe the plants or the lights themselves are irritating his eyes. What lights are you using for basking and uvb?

 

[carol5208]

The only reason I went so crazy with the plants was after looking at some of the pics of forum members enclosures in stickied thread. I mean its not completely dark, but where he is right now hes kind of in a darker part.

He was closing one eye and rubbing it on the fake vines I have in there. That was here and there, for the majority of the day hes awake and active.

If i mimicked the outdoors right now hes not getting near the 12 hours of light most people suggest.

its ok to not do exactly 12 hours. I keep my chams outside alot and as soon as it gets dark they are fast asleep.

 

[mattj]

The plants are a decent sized pothos and a small umbrella tree.

For uvb I have a reptisun 5.0 and a 40 watt light bulb for basking. He actually basks a lot during the day. His basking spot is around 82 degrees.

 

[carol5208]

The plants are a decent sized pothos and a small umbrella tree.

For uvb I have a reptisun 5.0 and a 40 watt light bulb for basking. He actually basks a lot during the day. His basking spot is around 82 degrees.

well it sure couldn't be your lighting cause that is what we all basically use. I thought maybe you might be using a desert series light or something. If he continues to close his eyes during the day, then there is something awry. Just keep a close watch. Is he drinking alot since you got him??? If they become dehydrated they can close their eyes.

 

[mattj]

I have only seen him drink a little, but his urate is all white.