Spends most of his time inches from UV bulb. Is this a problem or normal behaviour?

[Viv]

3 month old veiled chameleon. The UV bulb is mounted above the cage and he spends most of his time on the back wall at the top right up against the mesh. I have felt the mesh and it's not hot so the bulb is far enough away that he won't burn himself by staying there. I'm just wondering if this is normal behaviour or possibly an indicator that he's not getting enough UVB elsewhere in the cage?

 

[camimom]

What uvb bulb are you using?

How old is it>

and what are your basking temps?

 

[Viv]

What uvb bulb are you using?

How old is it>

and what are your basking temps?

Reptiglow 10.0

I assume around 3 weeks. Bought it as part of a setup from the pet store.

81F at the moment

 

[camimom]

The basking temp may be a bit low.

try getting a warmer basking bulb and see if you can get the temp up a few degrees.

 

[jamjam]

is 81 low though? like it might be ever so slightly but for 3 months i think 81-83 should be good so if you change the bulb make sure its not getting too high. and what i find weird is that its going directly under the uvb instead of the basking if its a little cold.

dont see much of a problem yet to fill out the help form, maybe add some pictures of your enclosure though

 

[Viv]

The basking temp may be a bit low.

try getting a warmer basking bulb and see if you can get the temp up a few degrees.

Already using a 60W. Is it ok to go higher?

 

[camimom]

You can go higher so long as the temps don't go higher than max 84.

 

[Viv]

is 81 low though? like it might be ever so slightly but for 3 months i think 81-83 should be good so if you change the bulb make sure its not getting too high. and what i find weird is that its going directly under the uvb instead of the basking if its a little cold.

dont see much of a problem yet to fill out the help form, maybe add some pictures of your enclosure though

Don't have a camera atm I can use. Have a picture of it when I first got it though.

Some big changes took place before I put Yoshi in it though. I researched here a bit and found out a lot needed changing (pet stores suck ). The bulbs in the enclosure are no longer used, instead I have a clamp lamp attached to the back left of the enclosure where the highest branch is and the UVB now sits on top of the cage as well.. The coco bark is gone and the floor is bare now apart from a small square of paper towel that he poops on or near. I change it every day and disinfect the spot before feeding. There are a few more plastic plants situated around the enclosure to give him more hiding/climbing spots and to block his view to the sides of the enclosure.

So basically... Other than it still being an 18x18x24 ExoTerra (I plan on getting a 24x24x48 Reptibreeze or similar when he gets a little bigger) it looks nothing like this picture... Hopefully it's still helpful? ... Probably not. At least it gives an idea of what's going on.

/edit - Oh and the water bowl isn't in there either.

 

[jamjam]

i know you said you updated the enclosure, my thought is maybe is he going under the light or is he possibly just getting to the highest point he can? could possibly be solved with more foilage and climbing places if he doesnt have any already away from the light

 

[Viv]

i know you said you updated the enclosure, my thought is maybe is he going under the light or is he possibly just getting to the highest point he can? could possibly be solved with more foilage and climbing places if he doesnt have any already away from the light

Yea maybe... Have recently added some extra foliage but I think I'll get some more with his next food order and see how it affects his behaviour.

 

[jamjam]

i know a week or so ago my big cage was just thrown together temporarily he would climb upside down under the uv for a couple mins than go wander around. i have now revamped it a few days ago with lots more branches foilage and everything hasnt been on the top since

 

[Lovereps]

I would either replace the 10.0 with a 5.0 OR raise it up a little higher, so there is a bit less UV reaching him.
Too much concentrated UV causes eye troubles in chams--especially when they are babies.

Here are the temps he needs, taken fron the forums excellent caresheet found here: https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/caresheets/veiled/

Temperature:
Baby/juvenile (<9 months): ambient 72-80F (22-26C), basking 85F (29C)
Adult males: ambient 75-80F (23-26C), basking 90-95F (32-35C)
Adult females: ambient 75-80F (23-26C), basking 85F (29C)

More leafy plants are helpful for chams to feel more secure, plus they help retain humidity and offer more surfaces to drink from.