Update to-I tried to search-didn't find the answer-any idea

[Barb]

Switched the light bulb out for a lower wattage. He has only sat with his mouth open once and that was right under the basking bulb. However, now the cage seems to cool. Basking is around 80-85, depending on where you shoot the temp gun, but the rest is low 70's and as you move down the enclosure, which is 6 feet, is into the 60's. he does seem to wander around more, but at the same time, his wandering is always too the door, which i have let him out of three times as a slow start too his free ranging. The house temp is 70.
So, should I add another heat source, but maybe towards the bottom of the cage, or will he be fine with the temps as they are?
Thanks for any help, glad the mouth thing was just due to the heat.

 

[MCSEB]

Hey Barb,
Seems like everything is good here. The basking spot is just right. As for the temperature in the cage, try to shoot for the high 70's if possible (75-78F). That's great to hear that he's adjusting better now. Try to add branches in your cage. Lots of them! He will be exploring. No do not add another heater to the bottom of the cage. The top of the cage should be the hottest point and as you go down the temperature decreases slowly but try to keep the middle of the cage in the mid to high 70's and the lower part about (69-72F). Make sure when it comes to the branches that you make pathways so your chameleon can get from top to bottom and bottom to top with no problem. Instead of making 1 pathway for each level, try to make a couple pathways in each level if possible to make the adventure more fun for your chameleon. Don't forget vines. They love to climb! Hope this helps and good luck with everything else.

 

[laurie]

I don't know what kind of cham you have but you were given good advice, based on the temp needs of your cham.

What kind of threads are you looking for? Maybe I can get you a couple links.

 

[Barb]

I have a fake 6 foot ficus tree in his enclosure, he can climb all up and down. Also two vines and a pothos plant. I don't know how to get the rest of his cage to the mid to upper 70's. without switching 60 watt to a higher wattage, but then he was too hot. However, the bulb i was using was a 72 watt that was equivalent to a 100 watt. I was looking for a 75 and couldn't find one. I am using a sixty watt regular lamp bulb now. I also have a 5.0 UVB and a regular fluorescent for added light in the middle to lower section. Do you think if I can find a true 75 watt reg. bulb, that would work or to high? I live in Chicago and his cage is in the corner of two outside walls. Windows are at the front of his cage, but not right next to his cage. His cage is approx 80% screen and 20% plastic/plexiglass. The top is solid wood with hole cut out for the basking bulb, which sits on the outside top.
Thanks for any help. I will try all suggestions.

I have a 11 month male veiled.

 

[Barb]

Think I got it

I sent my hubby to a hardware store to find 75 watt bulb. He found them and I switched it with the 60. So, I think I finally got temps right. Lowered the basking branch, so the basking temp is the same. However, I got mid 70's below and to side of that and then low 70's further down and then high to low 60's as he travels down the tree. Ya,

 

[laurie]

I agree, I think you have it