How too tell if too hot

[jacksontrident]

My chameleon was just opening his mouth for a few minutes and it is about 82 degrees in his tank. Jacksons like it in the 70's so i was wondering if he was too hot, or sick?

 

[ChamomilleCame]

Thats odd if the temp was 82, which is great for them. Are you measuring with a digital thermometer or...? Also if you dont wanna get a new thermometer or something, check the heat on your hand. Put it under the light and if it gets uncomfortably hot quickly, then use a lower wattage bulb. Which one are you using? How old is he? Young jacksons are sensitive to heat.
Also, opening mouth could be a respiratory infection, but that is if anything is coming out of his mouth when he is gaping. Check for wheezing too.
I hope this helps out
I cant help but noticing the fact that you mentioned tank. What size is it?

 

[Solid Snake]

Thats odd if the temp was 82, which is great for them. Are you measuring with a digital thermometer or...? Also if you dont wanna get a new thermometer or something, check the heat on your hand. Put it under the light and if it gets uncomfortably hot quickly, then use a lower wattage bulb. Which one are you using? How old is he? Young jacksons are sensitive to heat.
Also, opening mouth could be a respiratory infection, but that is if anything is coming out of his mouth when he is gaping. Check for wheezing too.
I hope this helps out
I cant help but noticing the fact that you mentioned tank. What size is it?

This/\

Was the whole enclosure at 82?

If so that is too hot of an ambient temp, and the animal will overheat eventually.

 

[jacksontrident]

He stopped after i cooled the tank to 75. And there was no sign of anythin abnormal!
thanks guys

 

[Solid Snake]

What watt/type bulb are you using for basking?

What are you measuring these temps with?

Was he pointed up whilst opening his mouth?

 

[jacksontrident]

A repti glo 5.0 UVB

One analog, one digital,
And he was just sitting like he normally does... Surveying the tank

 

[Solid Snake]

Ok, Id keep a close eye on him just in case, as well as monitor the temps more closely.

Wait, whats giving off heat? Is it just that warm where you live?

 

[skittles1234]

may i ask what you mean by "tank"?

 

[jacksontrident]

It is a terrarium. not fish tank haha!
And it is about 60 outside in colorado this time of year. The terrarium is cooled and i watched him for a few hours and no signs of any other respritory problems

 

[reptilover]

It is a terrarium. not fish tank haha!
And it is about 60 outside in colorado this time of year. The terrarium is cooled and i watched him for a few hours and no signs of any other respritory problems

UVB puts out rays that give the cham d3 so they can process calcium. It's not ment as a heat source. What is your hear source? Bulb? Ceramic emiter? Room temp?
If bulb or emiter what is the wattage?

 

[calistar]

cham

Might want to start by taking it out of the terrium or tank and try a screen cage for proper ventillation.

 

[jacksontrident]

The temp in the room stays at a constant of 70 degrees but i have an ifrared 60 watt bulb that goes on if the temp in the cage drops below 71

 

[Trillian]

Was he pointed up whilst opening his mouth?

What does it mean if they point up? Mine does in the shower once she's had a few mouthfuls, I took it as a cue she'd had enough.

 

[Solid Snake]

What does it mean if they point up? Mine does in the shower once she's had a few mouthfuls, I took it as a cue she'd had enough.

Pointing straight up at a basking light, is a sign of RI. They will do this to try and dry out their sinuses, and kill infection.

Id say if they do it in the shower its ok.