My cham likes to go to the bottom area

[DaChameleonKing]

Hey, My cham King likes to go to the bottom area in his cage. his cage is 16 x 16 x 30, but I'm finishing up his new cage that I'm building with my dad that is 24 x 24 x 48. he hangs out on the side of his cage on the screen that is close to the bottom (4 inches from bottom). He currently has a 75W bulb because my room is very cold. When I come over to try to take pictures he runs back up. Is this normal?

 

[brownie64]

I'm assuming you have a Jackson's chameleon. I use a 50 watt bulb so that 75 watt might be putting off a little too much heat. Jacks like it cool, and humid so him hanging out around the bottom, or the middle is normal as long as you see him basking especially after he eats. What are your basking temps they should be in the low 80s. And yes it's normal for him to run from you, and up is where they like to go.

 

[DaChameleonKing]

I'm assuming you have a Jackson's chameleon. I use a 50 watt bulb so that 75 watt might be putting off a little too much heat. Jacks like it cool, and humid. What are your basking temps they should be in the low 80s. And yes it's normal for him to run from you, and up is where they like to go.

Yes I'll check right now

 

[DaChameleonKing]

Oh my god! It's at 87! I'll go get a 60W bulb later today! I have a christmas party I have to go to now.

 

[DaChameleonKing]

Here is a light I'm going to buy. 60 Watt Ceramic Heat Emitter. Is it okay?

 

[DaChameleonKing]

I'm not going to buy a new light because the care sheet says this
Adult: 70-80F (21-26C) ambient, 82-85F (29C) basking

and ambient is fine, but basking is 87.

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

I also found that my chameleons spent more time on the bottom of the cage when they go through their "teen" phase. During this time they are also more irritable. I wonder if this is what is going on?

 

[Lathis]

You don't have to buy a new light, just raise it up an inch or two. Basking for Jax should be about 84. He probably is too hot at 87. Don't get a ceramic emitter - chameleons recognize light as a heat source, not the actual heat. Too easy to burn with a heat source that is not a light.

I also agree that during the teen years, they will wander quite a bit. My Jax was quite the adventurer at that age.