Heating issue.

[Heather8497]

So in my house it use to stay at exactly 73 but now that it is fall its dropping down to about 63 at night well it's at 69 degrees in my house right now and his cage isnt getting up to 80 degrees so I decided to try and put a old heat light at the top but it was red. And he kept running towards it and was bound to burn himself. So I took that down. My question is will he be okay with the temperature drop? Or do I need to turn on my heat super early...

 

[ERKleRose]

What type of chameleon? Try filling out the form for your chameleon’s info, too!

 

[Heather8497]

He's a veiled chameleon lol sorry.

 

[Syreptyon]

Most chameleons are perfectly able to withstand night time temp drops down to 50 degrees F. I think you're fine

 

[ERKleRose]

No problem! Did you go over the veiled chameleoncare sheet on here?

 

[Heather8497]

I've done it before. But then I read somewhere else that a drastic temp drop can put them in shock

 

[ERKleRose]

I've done it before. But then I read somewhere else that a drastic temp drop can put them in shock

I’m not sure, but I’m guessing a gradual temperature drop from 75-80*F to 69*F will be fine. It’s what I do with my panthers

 

[Heather8497]

I’m not sure, but I’m guessing a gradual temperature drop from 75-80*F to 69*F will be fine. It’s what I do with my panthers

Okay thank you. I was just so worried. And a chameleon spaz. Haha

 

[ERKleRose]

Okay thank you. I was just so worried. And a chameleon spaz. Haha

Just get that ambient temperature up during the day to a constant 75-80*F!

 

[Heather8497]

It's at 76 so he shall be okay

 

[JacksJill]

Just to be clear you do use some kind of basking light right? He should have a spot near the top of his cage that is a minimum of 85˚F during the day. The rest of his cage can be cooler to 72-75 during the day and down to 50˚F at night. His basking bulb can be raised up off the screen top to prevent burns.

 

[Heather8497]

Yeah he already has one but it's not putting it up to 85 degrees only 75

 

[JacksJill]

He needs to be able to bask to have proper metabolic function. That's probably why he went for it so hard. you will have to try different bulbs raised off the screen to get the right combo for the heat to reach a branch 6-8 inches down from the top. 8+ inches if he has a tall casque. It's a fine balance between getting enough heat and avoiding burns. Laser thermometers are very helpful for this.

 

[Heather8497]

I have a laser thermometer how do you suggest I help it off the cage

 

[JacksJill]

I use the wire legs that came off of my other lights. Any non-flammable or meltable objects will work to prop up the fixture. Hanging it from the ceiling can work also.

 

[Heather8497]

I use the wire legs that came off of my other lights. Any non-flammable or meltable objects will work to prop up the fixture. Hanging it from the ceiling can work also.

Hmmm thank you. 8 am now rummaging around for something metal..

 

[JacksJill]

The things we do for our chameleons.

 

[Heather8497]

The things we do for our chameleons.

Right lmao