UV and if I should be concerned

[kuzitiso]

Hi everybody, I just got my first panther chameleon and I must say he has a character. I am only concerned with his basking habits. He sits very often under the basking light but today I noticed he went right up the the uv light for a couple minutes and then went back to his usual patrols and basking. I know that chameleons absorb their UV independently from when they are basking but is it dangerous for him to be that close to the bulb? I would hate for him to get uv burns. Also, there are places for him to rest that are within 12" of the UV bulb. My UVB bulb is a reptisun 5.0 and my chameleon is just shy of 3 months. Thanks!

 

[camimom]

what is yoru basking temp?

can i see a pic of yuor set up please?

and welcome!

 

[kuzitiso]

Basking temp is around 85. I can't get a picture of it right now because I am on campus for most of the day for classes.

 

[Hoj]

being close to the uvb should not bother him, its the basking light you wanna watch out for.

 

[camimom]

Basking temp is around 85. I can't get a picture of it right now because I am on campus for most of the day for classes.

Ok.
I asked becuae id like to see how you have them set up, might be able to make suggestions.

for now, fill this out please, and we can go from there.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[kuzitiso]

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - Male ambilobe chameleon
Handling - Have never handled him. He went directly from his box to his enclosure
Feeding - He hasn't eaten yet. I just got him yesterday and he's still becoming accustomed to his enclosure. I am offering him dubia nymphs and 1/4" crickets. The insects have been gutloaded with a high calcium diet and various fruits and vegetables. (for some reason the insects LOVE carrots)
Supplements - I am waiting for all of them to come in the mail. They were supposed to get here before the chameleon did but they were shipped to the wrong address
Watering - I mist his enclosure 3-4 times a day including misting him with luke warm water. I also have a drip system running most of the day. I just saw him drinking this morning
Fecal Description - Fecal color is normal but urates were not very white. This is probably from the trip here and I am monitoring him to make sure he gets hydrated

Cage Info:
Cage Type - His enclose is screened. It was made from an entertainment system. Dimensions are something like 36" tall, 46" wide, and 28" deep.
Lighting - I have two basking lights since the cage is quite wide. One has a 45W bulb and the other is a 60W. Since the morning here is a little cooler, right in the morning he likes the 60W, and then he moves on to the 45W later in the day. Between the two basking lights is a 18" reptisun 5.0 bulb.
Temperature - temperature is about 86 degrees at the highest point and 74 at the lowest (it's been very warm here in Michigan) In normal weather it's about 70 at the bottom. At night it gets down to about 70.
Humidity - Humidity levels are usually around 60-70%. I'm using a digital hygrometer. I mist with a spray bottle now 3-4 times a day but I am expecting my aquazamp with my vitamin supplements any day now.
Plants - I am using a large umbrella tree.
Placement - the cage is located in my living room but since my roomate and I take classes we are either at school or in our rooms studying most of the day so it really isn't high traffic. It is not near any vents but it located between two small windows which higher than the cage which we open periodically when it is very warm.
Location -Michigan U.S.

 

[kuzitiso]

being close to the uvb should not bother him, its the basking light you wanna watch out for.

I've made it impossible for him to get too close to the basking lights.

 

[camimom]

I dont see anything really in your set up thats off.

what supplements did you order?

and what brand/kind of uvb are you using?

tube or coil?

 

[kuzitiso]

I dont see anything really in your set up thats off.

what supplements did you order?

and what brand/kind of uvb are you using?

tube or coil?

Reptical with d3, Reptical without d3, herptivite, and repashy calcium plus.

I am using a ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 tube.

 

[camimom]

Reptical with d3, Reptical without d3, herptivite, and repashy calcium plus.

I am using a ZooMed Reptisun 5.0 tube.

you didnt need to order the reptical, and herpivite if you ordered the repashy.

the repashy is meant to replace the other 3,

its used on every feeding.

and the uvb bulb is good.

 

[kuzitiso]

you didnt need to order the reptical, and herpivite if you ordered the repashy.

the repashy is meant to replace the other 3,

its used on every feeding.

I got them because I bought the aquazamp used and he threw in all the supplements for $10. I figured I could use them when the repashy ran out. Thank you for the supplement application recommendation though. I've been doing all my research for a while now but I'm still in the chaotic "holy crap I actually have a chameleon" mode now =)

 

[camimom]

I got them because I bought the aquazamp used and he threw in all the supplements for $10. I figured I could use them when the repashy ran out. Thank you for the supplement application recommendation though. I've been doing all my research for a while now but I'm still in the chaotic "holy crap I actually have a chameleon" mode now =)

haha its ok.

yes the repashy is for everything, used daily.
the calcium without d3 is ever feeding, the calcium with d3 twice a month, and the multivitamin twice a month.