veiled cham hates heat bulb?

[threelilkids]

My male cham is outside, its hot here, but today it rained all day. He went to the top of his cage. Thinking he was cold (76 today) I put a heat lamp on him, in his favorite spot. It is the same heat lamp I use on all my babies(marmoset,monkey, kittens, puppies etc). Vet teach. He tries to get to it. I don't know if he is upset because it is red. After awhile he just sat under it, but mostly he tries to get throught the screen to it. I would like any input as this is my first cham and I am hooked.

 

[kinyonga]

Why not just use a regular incandescent household bulb in a dome hood of a wattage that produces the right basking temperature? Red isn't natural.

 

[threelilkids]

This is my first cham, only had him 3 days. Red is normal for the babies listed, because it will not bother them at night. Cham don't need heat at night if temps are right, or so I read. I was asking if that bulb was ok. I think he was just not use to it as he is doing fine with it now, but I will change to a household bulb, THANKS

 

[xanthoman]

uva or ir?

Why not just use a regular incandescent household bulb in a dome hood of a wattage that produces the right basking temperature? Red isn't natural.

i agree a regular (uva) incandescent house bulb would be a safer choice. bigger danger of excessive heat build up with an ir and uva is thought discourage depression,and to promote feeding and general well being. jmo

 

[Elizadolots]

Threelilkids, I have family in Denham Springs. My Uncle Jimmy volunteers at the library there. I spent every summer (yikes!) growing up split between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Chameleons don't generally need to be as hot as people imagine. Where you are, you probably won't even need to provide a lot of heat during the summer months. Heck, you might find you have to take actions to cool him down on the really hot days.

You might consider an outdoor spot for your chameleon. That high humidity, tendency toward warm rain is really good for chameleons (though...you'll need to watch it this year, I suspect "toxic storms" are on the horizon for this summer). I'd remind you to make sure there's loads of shade available, but I've yet to see a yard in Louisiana that did not have ample shade. If you have a screened in porch, your baby would love to sit out there and watch the neighbors go by.