 Panther Chameleon Husbandry: Lighting & Heat
As a diurnal lizard, panther chameleons often regulate their daytime body temperature by varying their exposure to the sun. Requiring not only exposure to visible light, they also need exposure to those wavelengths of light usually referred to as UVA and UVB. Regular glass blocks out 100% of the UVB, so even if kept indoors, you will need to provide lighting not only as a source of basking heat, but also energy in these vital wavelengths. All commercially available UVB lights also provide UVA. Your setup can provide all necessary basking heat by using any household light bulb in a reflective dome, and a separate UVB florescent light. If used, an all-in-one mercury vapor light will provide both heat and all necessary wavelengths of light. A variety of suitable products to address all of your lighting needs are advertised in Reptiles Magazine, in on-line websites, and in many pet stores.
Whatever light is used as a heat source, usually in a dome, should be situated approximately 10-20 inches from the chameleon’s basking spot. To calibrate the proper wattage and distance, you should first tape a common thermometer to the basking spot, facing the light source. You can then adjust the wattage, and distance of your heat source light from the basking site, so as to maintain a consistent reading of 98-103 degrees F (35-37 C) on the thermometer. Whenever testing a new setting, allow 10-15 minutes to insure a stable reading. Depending on your cage material, be sure that the heat source is also not burning the cage. Once you have established the proper position, it is best to secure the light fixture, as many are capable of causing heat damage, to include starting a fire, if accidentally bumped and brought closer to a flammable surface. If you are using one of the newer mercury vapor products, you are done. If you are using an incandescent light in your dome, than you will need a separate UVB source, typically a florescent bulb designed to emit some energy in the UVB range. The fixture containing this light gives off very little heat, and can be positioned where practical, usually 10-18" from the basking site. Once everything is set, you can remove the thermometer.
Lights should be kept on for a normal photo period, usually 12-14 hours. With a basking spot in the upper 90’s, a thermal gradient will be created in the cage, such that as the chameleon moves farther from the light/heat source, the temperature will lower to that of the ambient room temperature, allowing the animal to thermo-regulate its own body temperature. Daytime ambient room temperatures are best if kept 80-87 degrees F (27-31 C), nighttime 70-78 degrees F (21-26 C). Providing that the chameleon has daytime access to an adequate basking temperature, panther chameleons can be maintained at lower ambient room temperatures, but it is recommended that they do not go below 60 degrees F (16 C).
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