To close to lamp?

[SocialNumb]

Too close to lamp?

Me again. I wasn't sure where to put this so here it goes:

My veiled Cham likes to, 2 months old according to the pet store, Ive had her about 3 days, hang out right under the dual lamp, sometimes even hanging upside down from the screen though not often so far. This lamp came with the kit and bulbs are 1 Reptisun 5.0 UVB 13 WATT, not the coiled ones and a 60 WATT Daylight Blue Reptile Bulb.

My question, is it ok for her to be that close to the lamp? I have them right above the screen. I've put my hand under them and they don't seem to be too hot to me and she does look content there but I thought I'd ask to make sure or I'll start to think about it way too much.

Side question while I have you here because I don't want to make another thread if I don't have to. I keep reading to "lightly" dust the crickets and whatnot with calcium powder, using repti in my case, but what defines "lightly" because my crickets look like they've been on a coke binge for days after I dust them. I'm really not using much of it at all. Is this normal?

 

[Carlton]

Me again. I wasn't sure where to put this so here it goes:

My veiled Cham likes to, 2 months old according to the pet store, Ive had her about 3 days, hang out right under the dual lamp, sometimes even hanging upside down from the screen though not often so far. This lamp came with the kit and bulbs are 1 Reptisun 5.0 UVB 13 WATT, not the coiled ones and a 60 WATT Daylight Blue Reptile Bulb.

My question, is it ok for her to be that close to the lamp? I have them right above the screen. I've put my hand under them and they don't seem to be too hot to me and she does look content there but I thought I'd ask to make sure or I'll start to think about it way too much.

Remember, what feels mildly warm to you (a mammal with a body temp of 97.6 F) will feel much warmer to a cham. Measure the actual temperature right under the basking lightbulb and compare the results to the caresheet for a veiled cham. If its too hot, raise your light fixture a bit higher off the top of the cage. You don't want her to burn herself. Many juveniles hang upside down on the top screen for some reason. Better to err on the cooler side than too hot.


Side question while I have you here because I don't want to make another thread if I don't have to. I keep reading to "lightly" dust the crickets and whatnot with calcium powder, using repti in my case, but what defines "lightly" because my crickets look like they've been on a coke binge for days after I dust them. I'm really not using much of it at all. Is this normal?

Remember, you'll be dusting them with plain calcium every day indefinitely, so you don't need much. If the crix look white its probably too much. Some chams start refusing heavier dusted crix...I bet they don't taste all that good. I sometimes put a bit of calcium in a dish, dump in some crix, and simply press down on them so they get some on their undersides. Then put them in the cham's bowl/cage.

 

[leedragon]

deppends, chameleons can get eye damage of they are too close to the light, or there is not enough shade so the have the light 27/7 on their eyes, you may want to move the light some what higher up just in case

 

[junglefries]

No it's normal, crickets often go on a coke binge for a days. At least they aren't always nodded out . Light dusting is preferred. For heat bulbs, I only use 25-40w household oven/fridge size bulbs in a small clamp lamp. Young chams can easily dehydrate from over heating.

 

[SocialNumb]

Thanks! lol Junglefries

She's not hanging from the screen anymore and she stop climbing all the way up the vine which I probably shouldn't have attached to the top of the cage. I'll change that.

That's a good idea Carlton with dusting the underside of the cricket. I'll give it a shot.

Leedragon, I only keep the light on 12 hours, off 12. It is FL so the temps stay up at about 75+ pretty much regularly.

I'll definitely measure the temp at exactly where she likes to bask. I'm also in the process of getting a Repti Glow 2.0 UVB 5.0 Tropical Terrarium Lamp and a regular or lower watt bulb. I've read here that it would be a good idea to keep the temp (for a female) in the low 80's. http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html