I am at my wits end with my new baby - HELP!

[bootsiemonroe]

My new baby Veiled, 4 months old, has been holding his mouth open. I made an appointment with my vet, but it is not for another week. I thought it was because my light was too hot, so I moved it away from the cage (it was a 60 watt). All he did when I did that was crawl on the top of the cage trying to get to the light, but he didn't hang his mouth open any more! So I decreased the watts to 40 and moved it up, he crawled on the top again!!! so I moved the light closer, he is now laying under the light with his mouth hanging open. What can I do??

 

[melonman]

Just because a cham goes to the top of the cage it doesnt mean he wants to be close to the light maybe hes just warming up if he doesnt open his mouth when it was far then its ok...he was maybe just getting warmed up

 

[bootsiemonroe]

So should I move the light back up?

 

[lisagr07]

So should I move the light back up?

I would think so, you can't hav him overheating and gaping... It takes juveniles a while to learn how o regulate their body temps, it's up to us to help them!!!

 

[bootsiemonroe]

He seems so extreme in what he wants, but he doesn't gape when the light is moved away, and I decreased the watts down to 40.

 

[Lala0]

What is ur basking spot temp?

 

[bootsiemonroe]

Right now with the 40 watt moved away is about 83.

 

[Lala0]

That's a fine temp for a baby, you may want to increase it slightly when he/she gets a little older tho.
I would leave it as it is