Posted by:
Ingo
at Thu Oct 26 04:55:10 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Ingo ]
As for all heliophile reptiles, metal halides are the best choice.
In fact, Mercury vapour bulbs come second - but with quite a distance.
IMHO metal halides are a MUST for all reptiles which bask. These are the only artificial lights which allow us to provide basking spots at almost the same lightintensities as in nature (I have basking spots up to 100 000 Lux in my tanks!). You never only halfway reach this with any other light source. Moreover, metal halides do have an almost continuous spectrum.
These bulbs strongly favour optimal colouration and maximum activity levels of heliophile animals.
Once you start using them, you will see the difference. Light yield in mercury vapur bulbs is only like 30% of those of metal halides of the newest generation (ceramic emitters).
I do keep oustalets and veileds outside in my area (Germany) till night temps start to drop below 10°C without any problems.
Both species do benefit a lot from that and both can tolerate a wider range of relative humidities, as long as enough drinking water is provided.
I would not recommend a melleri as a first chameleon. WCs tend to be very delicate and CBs are not readily available. Also they are sensitive against lowe humiditiy and easily loose parts of their flaps and crest by drieness induced necrosis.
Anyhow, if you go for mellers, forget what I said about lights. This species avoids too bright lights and does better under fluorescent lights supplemented by a moderate basking spot.
Also other than for the other two listed species, significant temp drops at night are quite important for a melleris health.
Hope that helps
Ingo
http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbumPhoto.asp?userid=Ingo&album_id=48637&image_id=22
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RE: captive care of Oustalet's pics - Ingo, Thu Oct 26 04:55:10 2006