Going to bed early?

[szpond]

My male Jackson's has recently picked up the idea that bedtime is 1-2 hours before actual lights-out. I have his timers running from 7A-7P, and in Michigan it gets darker here around 5...could it be because he sees the sun go down outside?


He finds a shady spot and just snoozes. Though he wakes up fine in the morning, eats fine, drinks plenty, etc. I am looking around to whomever can do a fecal near me.

Also the past few days it seems as though he is restless. Climbing on screen, actually wanting to come out of his cage when I open it (still does not like my hands, but will grab anything else to lift himself out of the cage readily)

Here is my husbandry: https://www.chameleonforums.com/check-my-husbandry-105177/#post961667

You are all so helpful. I don't see any obvious signs but I'd love input.

 

[camimom]

the sun going down is probably the reason hes going to bed.

especially if hes near the window, he sees dark out, he goes to sleep.

 

[szpond]

the sun going down is probably the reason hes going to bed.

especially if hes near the window, he sees dark out, he goes to sleep.

What I feel is that the window is more kiddy-corner and that I don't think it's easily seen through the screen at an angle. I could be wrong. Should I:

A. Adjust the time
B. Close the blinds
C. Not worry

 

[DavidBuchan]

He's not a very rock n roll animal....if there are lights on he should be awake.....
Maybe he's just lazy...I would try all those options starting with C. and working up.......

 

[szpond]

He's not a very rock n roll animal....if there are lights on he should be awake.....
Maybe he's just lazy...I would try all those options starting with C. and working up.......

Thanks for the reply! I will try with closing the blinds tomorrow and seeing if he turns in early again.

It's funny though, he sure does find the most perfect, shadiest spot in the whole screen cage to sleep for the night. Almost as if the lights are out. Perfectly positioned under a huge pothos leaf...

Ideally, I'd like his lights to mimic the sun...but he wouldn't get that full 12 hours during the winter if I did that. :/

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

I wouldn't worry. My chams are usually settling into their sleeping spots an hour or two before their lights turn off. It usually correlates with the sun setting (curtains closed or not). In the winter I shorten their light cycle to 10 hours on, 14 off. Madagascar is south of the equator enough to have seasonal light cycle changes. I do 11 on, 13 off in the spring/fall to adjust them to it over time. Trying to be a natural as possible.

 

[szpond]

I wouldn't worry. My chams are usually settling into their sleeping spots an hour or two before their lights turn off. It usually correlates with the sun setting (curtains closed or not). In the winter I shorten their light cycle to 10 hours on, 14 off. Madagascar is south of the equator enough to have seasonal light cycle changes. I do 11 on, 13 off in the spring/fall to adjust them to it over time. Trying to be a natural as possible.

Sounds like a great cycle you've got! I'm definitely going to consider changing the times. Maybe starting with 15 minutes less per day to see how he adjusts. Nothing too abrupt, right? And I'm hoping spring is around the corner...hoping...I'm sick of this snow.

But I'm so happy to hear that this isn't crazy-abnormal! I was very worried for a bit, the echoing of "A chameleon should never sleep during the day" through my head. Still will get a fecal done so I have the 100% health certificate.

Thanks all, so glad there are so many forum members willing to help out.

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

Sounds like a great cycle you've got! I'm definitely going to consider changing the times. Maybe starting with 15 minutes less per day to see how he adjusts. Nothing too abrupt, right? And I'm hoping spring is around the corner...hoping...I'm sick of this snow.

I change it 30 minutes at a time because that's the interval on my timer. I'm ready for spring too!! I want to get all my herps outside to enjoy real sun!

 

[szpond]

I change it 30 minutes at a time because that's the interval on my timer. I'm ready for spring too!! I want to get all my herps outside to enjoy real sun!

How's the temp go in the summer around Colorado? My new 5ft cage should be all built by the spring - maybe on a day where we're enjoying my backyard I'll have it be an outdoor cage! With Michigan's random temperature shifts I'd worry if I left him alone outside in the new cage. Maybe I'm too overprotective of a mom.

Then he couldn't ignore when the sun sets, eh?

 

[ferretinmyshoes]

It was 80-low 90s for most of last summer and dropped to 70s at night, which was perfect! I didn't have the outdoor cage set up yet so the chams didn't get to enjoy it much. Now I'm prepared, and the turtles are eager to get back ouside too. Make sure there is always a shaded area available so they aren't forced to be in the sun because even temps that aren't too hot normally can cause problems if they can't cool down. Back in Texas where it was a lot more variable I wouldn't leave them outside unless I was home so I didn't have to worry about them.

 

[KyleFitzz]

My male Jackson's has no window or sunlight in the room he's in and he usually goes to his resting spot and hour or so before his lights go out too. I wouldn't worry too much!

 

[szpond]

Maybe I'll put some rollers on the 5ft wooden/screen cage I've got going...just needs two more sides of screen and we're all done...will definitely post pics.


@KyleFitzz: Appreciate the reply! Yes, he was like that too...only now he will actually fall asleep in the shade! It used to be that he would curl up about 45 minutes before bed, though his eyes would still be wide and he would be alert. If I move the big pothos leaf above his sleeping head, he will wake - though I figure waking him isn't the best thing to do, so I let him be.

 

[KyleFitzz]

Mine will def fall asleep too even if my entire room is bright lol!!

 

[DavidBuchan]

Mine will def fall asleep too even if my entire room is bright lol!!

I never had a cham as lazy as that. Ashleigh (my Savannah Monitor) sleeps under her hide....or her water bowl........ sometimes even in the bath. Also she sleeps in my bed. I sometimes wonder if I'm just an exception to the rules.....but I gots to try to reign my silliness in. People might get the wrong idea about me.......:lol

P.s. Right now it's 5:35 in the morning. Meaning I get up for a full day of College in about an hour.......I'll get in, take my notes, get home and collapse. That's just the way I roll...................
Also, I have my chameleon related chores to do before I leave the house of course. They wake up at about half past 6. And they sleep at about half past 6.