Why does he do this???

[xephyr17]

Ender has been doing this gaping thing for the last 2 days. I don't get what he's doing.

My temp gauge says it's only like 80F in the center of the cage and like 88F at the basking spot. He sits off to the side (always in the same spot) and does this all the time... just for the last two days though.

He's done it a little in the past but now he's doing it for minutes at a time.

His little white section of his poop was extremely watery today, as well. The other part was solid like usual though...

 

[ChiefRedman]

88 degrees basking is too hot for a young chameleon , he is letting out heat when his mouth is open. Low 80-83 is ideal for young veiled chameleon basking spot .

 

[camimom]

what temp gauge are you using?

It could be wrong if hes gaping

 

[xephyr17]

I'm using a thermostat by Zoo Med... I attached a picture of the thermo-hygrometer they have, to give you an idea.

So should I move his heat light further away from his cage? So the basking spot is cooler

 

[camimom]

That thing is probably totally wrong.

get a good digital thermo pen or any digital thermometer, and try testing it again.
ill bet its much higher than 88.

you can try to reduce the temps by doing one of two things:

1- raise the light higher off the cage
2- reduce the wattage of the light used.

 

[Djturna4thakidz]

Those thermos are not accurate. Get a gun or digital unit ASAP

 

[xephyr17]

Alright I'll do that. Thanks guys

 

[RobertAbramsky]

He is probably too hot lower his basking temp. He is panting like a dog to cool down.

 

[xephyr17]

Now that the light is off he's hanging out at the bottom of the cage a lot... Why???? Chameleons do so much weird stuff hahaha

 

[shugocharaseason4]

Most chameleons go to the bottom of the cage to cool off, since its too hot near the light. Some just enjoy sleeping in that area of the cage