How close should a 50 watt heat lamp be to a 4-month-old panther?

[CloudsMystique]

I read in several places that they shouldn't be allowed to get much closer than 8 inches from it or they'll burn without realizing it. But he keeps crawling on the ceiling and standing right under it. Should I make it so he can sit closer to it on the branches?

 

[jannb]

You will want to keep his temps in the low 80's so whatever distance 6, 8, 10, 12 inches, that will give you the correct temp. Yes, fix a branch for him. He could loos a nail hanging on the screen.

 

[CloudsMystique]

Okay, I will. I have a thermometer, but it is refusing to stay attached to the screen. I'll figure something out.


He climbs on the screen even when he's not going towards the heat lamp... He crawls up and down the sides and all around the ceiling. Is that bad for him? :S

 

[Warrix642]

8 inches from a 60 w bulb in an 80 degree room it is 157 degrees I tested this...be careful. Set it up and test the temps. I use 25w bulbs with branches 6-8 inches away.

 

[jannb]

Okay, I will. I have a thermometer, but it is refusing to stay attached to the screen. I'll figure something out.


He climbs on the screen even when he's not going towards the heat lamp... He crawls up and down the sides and all around the ceiling. Is that bad for him? :S

You may need to line your cage with the plactic fencing. They can loose a nail and it become infected and cause major problems. Here's an example of the plastic fencin in beeze's cage: https://www.chameleonforums.com/members/beeze-albums-making-aluminum-cage.html

 

[gwjones777]

Okay, I will. I have a thermometer, but it is refusing to stay attached to the screen. I'll figure something out.


He climbs on the screen even when he's not going towards the heat lamp... He crawls up and down the sides and all around the ceiling. Is that bad for him? :S

sounds like a analog thermometer? or digital?

 

[CloudsMystique]

It's an analog thermometer. I attached it to the branch and it said it was 85 degrees. It was only about 4 inches away from the bulb.

 

[SS4Luck]

analogs a notoriously in accurate. Spend the 10-15 bucks and get a dual thermo/hygro digital meter.

 

[Pure]

Ambient temps as Warrior noticed, means everything when deciding what wattage bulb to use. I wouldn't let him get any closer to the lamp than 6 inches. If he is still hanging under the lamp, then he is telling you he wants it warmer. You will need a higher wattage bulb. If this is a young cham, I find it just easier to use a 100 watt lamp hooked up to a rheostat. That way as he gets older you can increase his temps, without constantly swapping out bulbs. The rheostat also allows you to increas the temps with more control.

Still, get a proper digital thermometer before doing anything other than letting him get 2 inches closer. It's very easy to cook him with just the next step up in wattage.

It also sounds as if your cham may be a screen walker. 90% of the time this can be solved by adding more climbing structures for him. You possibly need more cover as well. I find an easy way to add more cover to dowel/bamboo is to buy a large pothos (usually less than 20 bucks at Home Depot) and use the "vines" to wrap around your dowels/bamboo rods.

If after all that he still is a climber, he may want a larger cage, and even then, in the end you may need to take steps to protect his feet. Get some plastic 1/2 inch hardware cloth and line the inside of his cage, to keep his toes off of the screen.

 

[CloudsMystique]

Ambient temps as Warrior noticed, means everything when deciding what wattage bulb to use. I wouldn't let him get any closer to the lamp than 6 inches. If he is still hanging under the lamp, then he is telling you he wants it warmer. You will need a higher wattage bulb. If this is a young cham, I find it just easier to use a 100 watt lamp hooked up to a rheostat. That way as he gets older you can increase his temps, without constantly swapping out bulbs. The rheostat also allows you to increas the temps with more control.

Still, get a proper digital thermometer before doing anything other than letting him get 2 inches closer. It's very easy to cook him with just the next step up in wattage.

It also sounds as if your cham may be a screen walker. 90% of the time this can be solved by adding more climbing structures for him. You possibly need more cover as well. I find an easy way to add more cover to dowel/bamboo is to buy a large pothos (usually less than 20 bucks at Home Depot) and use the "vines" to wrap around your dowels/bamboo rods.

If after all that he still is a climber, he may want a larger cage, and even then, in the end you may need to take steps to protect his feet. Get some plastic 1/2 inch hardware cloth and line the inside of his cage, to keep his toes off of the screen.

Okay... Thanks so much!