First chameleon. Few questions.

[Tartan]

I'm using the XL mesh enclosure from ZooMed (24x24x48) and I have a 13w compact cfl for UVB and a 100w infrared heat bulb but I can't get the temps high enough maybe 74max and 72 lower down in the enclosure...

I'm just worried about her sensitivities ...

she's eating by the looks of things and tomorrow I'm getting a new UVB bulb tomorrow ... Strip bulb ...

Just wondering what I can do

(don't throw me under the bus for having a chameleon as a first reptile, please)

 

[UrbanChameleon]

I'm using the XL mesh enclosure from ZooMed (24x24x48) and I have a 13w compact cfl for UVB and a 100w infrared heat bulb but I can't get the temps high enough maybe 74max and 72 lower down in the enclosure...

I'm just worried about her sensitivities ...

she's eating by the looks of things and tomorrow I'm getting a new UVB bulb tomorrow ... Strip bulb ...

Just wondering what I can do

(don't throw me under the bus for having a chameleon as a first reptile, please)

Welcome to the forums. I don't think anyone is going to throw you under the bus.

Do you have a red bulb in the inclosure? Most people recommend a 5.0 linear (strip) UVB bulb, and a regular house bulb for heat. You will need to experiment with wattages to get the temps right.

Temperature probes are usually pretty accurate. Make sure you have the thermometer in the basking spot. I've seen new keepers raise temperatures way too high, because they have their thermometer in a different spot.

*In case you don't know, the basking spot is the hottest place in the enclosure where your Chameleon will soak up the sun.. so to speak.

My thermometer is located on the highest branch under the heat bulb. Also, make sure the heat light is raised off of the screen. Even with low wattages, a Chameleon can get burns if the light is sitting directly on top of the cage.

 

[Tartan]

It is intact sitting on top but I've never seen her up there. I'll move it tonight. If I'm honest I'm freaking out because I "rescued" her and heard horror stories. I'm still building up her enclosure...

I've got a couple branches in there n stuff not much foliage yet....but soon...

I'm getting the liner bulb tomorrow.

I have the thermometer in the basking and it just doesn't heat up!

Ohhh also it is a redbulb do I need to get an "intense spot" from zoomed??

 

[Tartan]

This is Neera love her to bits and want to make her the happiest little chameleon in the world!

 

[erik775]

It is intact sitting on top but I've never seen her up there. I'll move it tonight. If I'm honest I'm freaking out because I "rescued" her and heard horror stories. I'm still building up her enclosure...

I've got a couple branches in there n stuff not much foliage yet....but soon...

I'm getting the liner bulb tomorrow.

I have the thermometer in the basking and it just doesn't heat up!

Ohhh also it is a redbulb do I need to get an "intense spot" from zoomed??

a regular incondecent house light bulb will work ,for the liner bulb a repti sun or repti glo 5.0...oh yeah how rude...welcome to the forums...

 

[Tartan]

Soooooo will the incandescent work better than a whopping great 100w infrared bulb? That just baffles me.....

 

[UrbanChameleon]

It is intact sitting on top but I've never seen her up there. I'll move it tonight. If I'm honest I'm freaking out because I "rescued" her and heard horror stories. I'm still building up her enclosure...

I've got a couple branches in there n stuff not much foliage yet....but soon...

I'm getting the liner bulb tomorrow.

I have the thermometer in the basking and it just doesn't heat up!

Ohhh also it is a redbulb do I need to get an "intense spot" from zoomed??

Don't stress. Just do plenty of research. If you have a question, ask it. We all started out somewhere, and I found the forums to be the best source of information.

Females can require slightly different care requirements when it comes to lighting, feeding, supplementing, etc. Although, I don't know if any of that pertains to Jackson's females, since they don't lay eggs. I will let someone else chime in on this, since I've never owned a female. Make sure you are reading information on Jackson's Chameleons. Their care is different (higher humidity, lower temps) from a Panther/Veiled.

You don't need to get a heat bulb made specifically for reptiles. You can go to Walmart and get a much cheaper incandescent bulb, they are the same thing. I don't know if an "intense spot" light would be a good idea. They tend to concentrate the heat/light straight down, as apposed to spreading it out. I don't know if it would be a better idea to use a regular bulb vs. spot bulb with a Jacksons. Maybe someone else can better answer your question.

Chameleon's can see color, so the red bulbs don't do them any justice. It's more productive to stimulate the natural sun. Also, you don't need to use any light at night. Unless your house gets under 60 F, you won't need additional heat. If your house does get pretty cold, I would recommend buying a "ceramic heat emitter" for nighttime use. They give off heat, but no light.

Chameleon's do well with a temperature drop at night, and also need complete darkness. Some Chameleon's won't sleep if the room light is on. I cover my Chameleon's cages at night, so they aren't bothered by the television or light.

If your temps don't change much after you switch bulbs, I would test your thermometer. It could be faulty. I've had thermometers and hygrometers that won't go above a certain degree or fahrenheit. So you might want to take that into account too. I just thought it was worth mentioning.

Research, research, research. Search anything, and everything that comes to mind. If you can't find an answer, ask it. I'm sure many of us would be happy to help. As I mentioned above, make sure the information pertains to Jackson's Chameleons. You don't want to read the wrong information.

Main things you need to know:
1) Lighting/Temperature
2) Hydration/Humidity
3) Supplementation
4) Gut-loading/Food

Forgive me if I forgot anything, it's a little late.

 

[Tartan]

I've read and read ...most frustrating thing is contradicting information...most information says lower temps and higher humidity....that in itself is a contradiction....

Over had the temp inside up to around 85 on top and 70 down below....that was when she was active and hunting crickets...

House didn't get above 75 today and her cage didn't either with the infrared bulb on alllllll day with her UVB....

Very docile today...trying to keep stress nonexistent but I must add things to the cage which makes he.r turn darker and camouflage lol not the pretty green she normally is...

I'll try the regular bulb tomorrow...I'll be getting the strip bulb tommorrow (today by 1minute lol)

Sorry my posts seem scattered I can't get all my questions out...