This may be a stupid question.......

[WelshOneEmma]

I know we have to be careful with the height of the basking lights to avoid burns, but can the UV light cause burns also? I notice my cham likes to hang out under the light a lot, can this cause major damage (its a linear one before anyone asks ).

I know that it sounds like an incredibly stupid question, but still, I don't know and want to check if I have a potential problem.

 

[blackbetty]

Ive never felt anymore than a warmth from my UVB light.

 

[nick barta]

No risk, let em tan!

 

[WelshOneEmma]

No risk, let em tan!

That's good. Every now and again he reaches up to try to grab it! Seems obsessed with it!

 

[dodolah]

yes, UVB light can burn. Not from the heat but rather from the radiation the uvb light emit.
Just like us can get a sunburn after tanning for too long.

http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/health-chapter-f-burn.html
Check the UVB Burn sub chapter.

and Emma, it's not a stupid question.

 

[WelshOneEmma]

Thanks Dodolah! So, seeing as I have a Reptisun 5.0 linear tube, I should be ok, I just need to keep an eye on him seeing as some days he tries to get as close as possible to the light?

 

[dodolah]

Thanks Dodolah! So, seeing as I have a Reptisun 5.0 linear tube, I should be ok, I just need to keep an eye on him seeing as some days he tries to get as close as possible to the light?

5.0 is quite safe.
(I'm assuming you have veiled or panther).

 

[WelshOneEmma]

5.0 is quite safe.
(I'm assuming you have veiled or panther).

Yes, we have a male veiled, about 4 months old.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Thanks Dodolah! So, seeing as I have a Reptisun 5.0 linear tube, I should be ok, I just need to keep an eye on him seeing as some days he tries to get as close as possible to the light?

There is a preferred distance from the bulb, a range in which optimum safe levels of UVB occur. Check the information that came with your bulb, and then try to make it such that your chameleon is typically within that range.

 

[kinyonga]

Is the UVB light outside the cage?

 

[WelshOneEmma]

Is the UVB light outside the cage?

No, it is fastened to the top of the cage (all wood bar the front, which seems to be the standard in the UK). this is how we were told to do it when we first bought the set up. When we move Hugo to a bigger cage we will reassess the situation.

 

[pr3mo15]

i also use the reptisun 5.0 uvb tube light

i have a 4month male panther chameleon that has found a spot that he LOVES under that light. He does the same thing and will hang on the screen below it...he hangs out under quiet a bit

I have not felt anything but warmth from my uvb light aswell.

He should be ok.
Sometimes they just find spots they like

 

[dodolah]

just as clarification, it's not heat that we should concern about UVB lights since they do not emit intense heat as incandescent bulbs.
It is the UV radiation.
just like in the beach.
It might be cool and breezy, but you can still get a nasty sunburn.

 

[WelshOneEmma]

just as clarification, it's not heat that we should concern about UVB lights since they do not emit intense heat as incandescent bulbs.
It is the UV radiation.
just like in the beach.
It might be cool and breezy, but you can still get a nasty sunburn.

This is why I was getting worried. I don't see anything wrong with him, but he sits very close at the moment (since we changed his enclosure a bit), and then his casque went a bit dark and I was worried there was damage (turned out he was starting to shed), so we are keeping a close eye on him until we change his enclosure.

 

[dodolah]

This is why I was getting worried. I don't see anything wrong with him, but he sits very close at the moment (since we changed his enclosure a bit), and then his casque went a bit dark and I was worried there was damage (turned out he was starting to shed), so we are keeping a close eye on him until we change his enclosure.

Like Sandra said, follow the safe distance rule listed on the box, you should be fine.