Jackson Chameleon Temperatures?

[SilverWolf]

Hello, I live in Southern California and have a 3 month old, Jackson Chameleon. He's actually probably nearly four months old now. It was rather hot today and still is in the room I keep him in (my room) and I am afraid it is too hot for him. What is even more concerning is that, in order to keep out light from my computer and television that tend to be on (although it is just the computer for now) I put two blankets over his cage to effectively cover all sides, so it is completely dark for him. Since it is so hot though, I sprayed/misted his enclosure a lot before putting the blankets on him. But since it is so hot (not for me, but everyone else and probably for him too), I put a fan in my room, about 4 or 5 feet away from the cage, pointing in the general direction of the cage. And there is a little opening from the blankets so that some air will get inside. Do you think this is a bad idea? I just want to be sure it is cool for him and not too hot, especially at night time. I'm sure the bearded dragon in the other room is loving it though.

 

[SaintJimmy]

I live in So Cal too, but I take it you must not have air conditioning or a well insulated house.

it is quite hot where I live too (supposed to be 95-100 degrees today) but I still keep the lights on for my veiled and bearded dragon.

Jackson's are quite different, I'll admit. I would get a laser gun to check temperatures with. Try a home depot, they should have one or two to choose from.

Also, please check this caresheet out. It's one of the first things most keepers read to understand which temperatures are good to keep chameleons at, what they eat, how much humidity they need, etc.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/jacksons/

According to that sheet, you're going to want to try and have a basking spot of 80-75 degrees and not much higher.

I don't understand why you'd cover the cage instead of just moving it to possibly a cooler part of the place you are living in, or just keeping a very low wattage bulb over your chameleon.

Lower wattages do not get as hot as higher ones usually. Also be sure you're using a UVB bulb.

 

[spottea]

Your bathroom may be cooler, and you could move him there temporarily. I did that last summer for a couple of days. My little girl lives outside, and although it's going to be frigging hot today, she has lots of leafy shade, and my mister is set to go for longer periods and more often this week. She prefers that to being moved about!
If you can't move him, then the fan plus more misting should really help. The fan won't do much if there are blankets over the cage though. Jackson's need more ventilation than most.