when should I start using a heat lamp

[nevieL]

When I first brought my Rango home he was only 4 weeks and was told he was still to tiny. He is now about 11 weeks old and I was wondering if anyone could tell me if he is now ready for a heat lamp and what temperatures the cage should be for a cool zone, regular uvb light zone and heat lamp zone?

 

[carol5208]

So for 7 weeks you have not used a heat lamp? What are your house temps?? Can you post a picture of your chameleon and your set up? Temps should be in the low to mid 70's and basking in the low to mid 80's.

 

[nevieL]

She told me being that young it could damage their skin and cause them to die due to the heat... with the light on the set up is 73-75 degrees with the humidity being 60-70. We live in Arizona so some days it's a little hotter.

 

[carol5208]

They need heat to be able to properly digest their food. I would add the basking light now. you have been using a uvb light for the past 7 weeks right?

 

[nevieL]

Ofcourse... without the light the cage temperature would be about 65-67 degrees; which is what it gets at night

 

[jannb]

I have veiled babies just shy of 10 weeks old. I live in FL and I have not had to use a basking light yet. Just the heat that the UV bulb puts off keeps my babies in the low 80's. Other than right after a misting they stay at 82 to 83. What you need is a good digital temp gun because the temps are so important. When you are unable to keep his/her temps in the low 80's then it's time to add a bashing bulb. You will really need a temp gun then so you want cook him. I would start with a 25 watt household bulb and if that doesn't get him warm enough then you might have to go to a 40 watt and with a 40 if he's to warm you will need to raise the basking light up off the top of the cage. When he's older you can raise his basking temps. I keep my adult's basking spot around 88. I'm attaching my blog below for new keepers and also another link for some additional info on chameleon keeping.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...-keepers-young-veiled-panther-chameleons.html
https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/chameleons/

 

[Devokid]

I would be nervous about just using UVB to raise the temperature. If your chameleon has to be right under the UVB in order to get warm, then it can get burned from the UV rays. If you have a place in your cage where the temps are in the low 80's NOT under the UVB, then you are good without the heat lamp. If not, then I would add one so that he has a place to go without the direct rays.

 

[Mike Fisher]

I would start with a 25 watt household bulb and if that doesn't get him warm enough then you might have to go to a 40 watt and with a 40 if he's to warm you will need to raise the basking light up off the top of the cage.

That's where wiring in a dimmer box comes in real handy. I put a dimmer ahead of a power strip on incandescents. Then I can go bigger wattage but run them dim and they last a really long time. You can dial in whatever heat you need.

 

[nevieL]

Thank you so much guys, I will go ahead and try replacing the Blue day lght bulb I have now with a household starting at 25.
Right now I keep the lamp a couple of inches from the cage but the cage is only getting to about 78. Thank you for the help!