Veiled Chameleon Basking behavior

[Chance307]

Hello!
This is my baby veiled chameleon Pablo. I'm not 100% sure how old he is exactly.
He has been with me for 3 days now and he started climbing the mesh under his basking light. He does this for about 20-30mins sometimes 1hr, and then he goes back to the branch.
Is this normal? Does it mean he'd like the branch a bit higher?
The branch is currently about 8.5-9 inches away from the 75W incandescent Zilla Bulb.
He's in an 18x18x36 enclosure atm. Working on getting more foliage for him as well as a T8 5.0 since I read that that the T8 is better?
I switched out the Herptivite for Repashy LoD. He's eating small crickets dusted in Calcium without D3.
I attached some pictures of my setup.

 

[LizardLurkin]

Youngins are very explorative in new enclosures and so they notoriously climb screens. Often times they'll climb the ceiling too, so you'll want to raise up the lamps so the little fella won't burn themselves!
Typically, we keep our basking branch 8-9 inches away from the lamp. If you got anything to prop up the lamp, it's not a bad idea.

Very cute lil chameleon also ^^ Hi, Pablo!
They're gonna grow like a weed, so be prepared to get a 2x2x4 enclosure sooner than you think!

 

[Chance307]

Youngins are very explorative in new enclosures and so they notoriously climb screens. Often times they'll climb the ceiling too, so you'll want to raise up the lamps so the little fella won't burn themselves!
Typically, we keep our basking branch 8-9 inches away from the lamp. If you got anything to prop up the lamp, it's not a bad idea.

Very cute lil chameleon also ^^ Hi, Pablo!
They're gonna grow like a weed, so be prepared to get a 2x2x4 enclosure sooner than you think!

Okok thank you! I will grab some wood so I can higher the lamp a bit. But if I do, won't his basking branch be colder when he decides to go back down?
Rn he's actually been hanging there for 2hrs He's very scared still so when I walk up to the cage he goes back down

 

[BleuSaphir]

I live in California, I do not offer heat lamp. I would be eyeing on him to not burn underneath the heat lamp.

 

[Chance307]

I live in California, I do not offer heat lamp. I would be eyeing on him to not burn underneath the heat lamp.

What are the first signs of a burn? He's actually my first
I live in south Texas where its super hot and humid. But with the AC constantly running he'd definitely be too cold

 

[BleuSaphir]

You would need to get creative to suspend the heat lamp above the cage allowing a gap to not allow the lamp touch the screen top.

 

[Chance307]

You would need to get creative to suspend the heat lamp above the cage allowing a gap to not allow the lamp touch the screen top.

I think I can probe it up with some wood. If not, I could also get one of those lamp stands/holder.
Should I maybe also get a lower wattage for now?
Like this one?

 

[GrannyK]

Welcome to the forum!! One thing I want to add, the flukers bendy branch is known to be good, but the others have been known to not be as good. Watch for splinting pieces and mold /bacteria as they age from moisture. I have been using flukers for 2yrs now with no issues. If this is just a temporary cage then should be ok.
What a cutie you have there!! did you confirm his gender with the tarsal spur? Sometimes little ladies are passed off as boys on accident or just to be gotten rid of.

 

[GrannyK]

Your fixture is fine (T5), keep it, you will want to use the Arcadia 6% Forrest bulb or the repti sun 5% (which is the one your set up comes with). With the reptisun you change every 6mos, the Arcadia once a year.

 

[GrannyK]

I would get the lower wattage bulb for heat fixture if you live in Texas and his enclosure is only 36in h. The 50 watt will be fine . Just to avoid a risk of burn. Screen climbing is totally normal in his new home. It should settle soon.

 

[Chance307]

Welcome to the forum!! One thing I want to add, the flukers bendy branch is known to be good, but the others have been known to not be as good. Watch for splinting pieces and mold /bacteria as they age from moisture. I have been using flukers for 2yrs now with no issues. If this is just a temporary cage then should be ok.
What a cutie you have there!! did you confirm his gender with the tarsal spur? Sometimes little ladies are passed off as boys on accident or just to be gotten rid of.

Thank you so much for this!! I liked the material of the flukers so I actually have more on the way as we speak
Thank youuu! I love himmm! Yess, I did! That was the first thing I checked when I got him

 

[Chance307]

Your fixture is fine (T5), keep it, you will want to use the Arcadia 6% Forrest bulb or the repti sun 5% (which is the one your set up comes with). With the reptisun you change every 6mos, the Arcadia once a year.

Noted!!! I appreciate that a lot!

 

[Chance307]

I would get the lower wattage bulb for heat fixture if you live in Texas and his enclosure is only 36in h. The 50 watt will be fine . Just to avoid a risk of burn. Screen climbing is totally normal in his new home. It should settle soon.

Thank youuu!!! I ordered the bulb already and it will get here monday
I caught him munching on a leaf earlier he ate it lol. The dripper drips on that leaf a lot.

 

[LizardLurkin]

I love seeing the perfectly chameleon mouth shaped bite marks on the cage plants. So cute

 

[Chance307]

I love seeing the perfectly chameleon mouth shaped bite marks on the cage plants. So cute

Lmaoo!!! I got the whole thing on video I couldn't believe it lol.
I thought he was just gonna lick it cause of the water but he just started munching