why is my chameleon on the floor of his viv ???

[JamesEDEN]

This is my first chameleon and I want to know if am doing this right.

Chameleon Info:

* Your Chameleon - veiled, male i believe, he is 4 to 5 months

* Handling - have only handled him around 2 times when i needed to do things to his viv.

* Feeding - Feeding him brown crickets.

* Supplements - I have been dusting with calcium supp every day, i have used a multi vit every month and the D3 supplement.

* Watering - I have been misting 3 times a day.



Cage Info:

* Cage Type - He was housed in a 3ft by 2ft by 2ft viv.

* Lighting - 5.0 uvb , 150w sun glo basking bulb both on for 12 hours daily and he has a heat wave bulb on at night. the temp in the day is around 70f to 95f and at night 60f

* Temperature - basking temp is around 85, lowest temp is around 60. lowest over night temp is around 50. measured with dual probe digi thermometer.

* Humidity - humidity is usually between 50 -60 measured with hydrometer.

* Plants - I have one WEEPING FIG in there and 2 PARLOR PALM with some fake plants.

He has his eyes closed and he is on the ground with his mouth open

 

[Jamelon]

hes way too hot! 150w heat bulb is way too strong, get a weaker wattage bulb to start id say maybe a 60w bulb for a even a 40w you want the basking spot to have a temperature around 80. He has his mouth open to try and cool off kind of like when dogs pant. I think that 50 at night is a little too cold you want to keep it around 60 i think

 

[JamesEDEN]

i have temp down to 80 but he keeps opening and closing his mouth and his eyes r still closed.

 

[Julirs]

Turn off the 150 watt bulb for awhile and see what happens. Usually a 150 watt bulb on a cage that size can make temps over 150 degrees at the bottom of the cage. I agree-switch to a much lower wattage.

 

[nosytrish]

What type of UVB bulb are you using? If it's a CFL get rid of it because it may be hurting your chams eyes. Go with a Reptisun 5.0 Fluorescent bulb if you're able to find one. Also mist your cham a little extra for a few days, he could be dehydrated from that strong basking lamp