Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Need some help/advice. Frodo is a 2 year old NosyBe blue panther, male, kept on Chameleon Canopy, has a Westron Mega-Ray SB 100-WATT FLOOD LAMP, humidity 50%, basking temp 90 degrees. I use Radiance vitamin mix that I got through the internet from Dr. Donaghue (after reading about it on this forum) a couple of years ago. I went away for a 9 days. When I came back, his environment was infested with tiny ants. He had not eaten out of his food cup for about 4-5 days based on the number of insects left in there. Caregiver said she saw him drink from his drip vine. His color is good, but his eyes seem to be bothering him. Lots of puffing them out, as if they are irritated. One eye had a shed about 3 days after I got back. More troublesome is the fact that I now have to feed him his crickets by hand and he often misses his shot. This has never happened before. Also, he sawys weirdly when looking at the cricket, leans back, holds mouth open for a few seconds like he's trying to figure out how to get his tongue to work. I don't think he is dehydrated but I've been misting him alot and making sure he drinks by spraying his mouth area and he smacks his lips and drinks. His grip seems strong and he seems to be navigating and climbing OK but more slowly than usual. He seems tired. Any idea what could be causing this weird & troubling behavior?
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1.0 Nosy Be panther Chameleon (Frodo)
1.0 Egyptian Uromastyx lizard(Littlefoot)
1.0 Eastern Garter Snake (Sully)
0.1 Great Pyrenees dog (Tequi)

pictures of Frodo & Chameleon Canopy

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1.0 Nosy Be panther Chameleon (Frodo)
1.0 Egyptian Uromastyx lizard(Littlefoot)
1.0 Eastern Garter Snake (Sully)
0.1 Great Pyrenees dog (Tequi)

I belive your setup is too small for the MVB that youre using. It doesnt' allow him to regulate his UVB exposure. Too much UVB exposure, for panthers in particular (the studies were done with pardalis) can cause eye problems. I'd remove the MV bulb, and use a standard 100W bulb, and see if that helps.

If you only use a standard lightbulb, how is the chameleon going to get any UVB?

Right now, it is very likely that the animal is being subject to levels of UV radiation that are simply too strong. The danger is TOO much UVB at this point.

Until another bulb is purchased, he is much safer with just a regular bulb. A few days without UVB isn't going to cause a problem. A few more days under intense, inescapable radiation could be downright dangerous.

It might not even be the probelem. Just the fact that the chameleon is in a small space with a 100W MVB is evidence enough that such a problem is likely in the future.

To respond in detail ( was in a hurry before):

Remove the Mercury vapor bulb. It's too powerful at such close a range, wiht so few hiding spots. Replace it with a 75 or 100W el-cheapo bulb - 4 for $2 at Walmart. Get a new fixture, install the MVB bulb into the NEW fixture, and place it in such a way that the chameleon can easily regulate exposure. Either hang it several feet away, angling to the cage, or just hang it higher. Regardless, these bulbs are NOT good for small enclosures, unless they are flooding the area with weak UVB - which requires them to be farther away. Askthe guy at reptleuv.com (I think that's where you bought it from, correct?) for details.

You said..."Right now, it is very likely that the animal is being subject to levels of UV radiation that are simply too strong. The danger is TOO much UVB at this point".
"Until another bulb is purchased, he is much safer with just a regular bulb. A few days without UVB isn't going to cause a problem. A few more days under intense, inescapable radiation could be downright dangerous"....I knew that was what your reasoning was....but the person you posted it to might not have realized that it was necessary at some point to make sure that the chameleon had UVB again at safer levels. Just keeping you on your toes, Eric! (evil grin).

Thanks for the reply! On the Chameleon Canopy he can go up and down as he pleases...the total height is about 4 feet. He can get within 10 inches of the bulb if he wants to or he can change the distance by going out on the branches that extend out from the 2 flower pots/levels, or by descending downward. He can literally be 3 feet away from the bulb if he wants to. But he does have to be at the closest distance to the bulb (approx. 10 inches) when he drinks from his drip vine. Could it be that he is not aware that he should move away from it? He spends most of his time on the branches that extend away from the bulb so that he is about 14-18" away from it.

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1.0 Nosy Be panther Chameleon (Frodo)
1.0 Egyptian Uromastyx lizard(Littlefoot)
1.0 Eastern Garter Snake (Sully)
0.1 Great Pyrenees dog (Tequi)

Sorry for the misinformation. Frodo's bulb is a 60W Mega-Ray with external ballast, not 100W.
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1.0 Nosy Be panther Chameleon (Frodo)
1.0 Egyptian Uromastyx lizard(Littlefoot)
1.0 Eastern Garter Snake (Sully)
0.1 Great Pyrenees dog (Tequi)

The 60W, though producing LESS heat, produces MORE UVb, I believe.

I think the bulb is to oclose, and the setup too small. If it was off to the side, and allowed him places ot bask in heat and UVB seperatly, that should prevent UVB overexposure.

>>Sorry for the misinformation. Frodo's bulb is a 60W Mega-Ray with external ballast, not 100W.
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Hmmmm, I thought MegaRay made 160 watt and 100 watt only in the sb bulbs. I cannot find a 60 watt advertised anywhere. Are you sure???

On the page about the 100 watt Zoo SB bulb, it says "*WARNING! Do not set this lamp closer than 36". Reptiles should not be exposed to more UVB than they would be in their natural habitat (400-450 microwatts)."

The 60 watt is the external ballasted light that produces little or no heat. I use that one in my smaller CWD enclosure. I'm just trying to figure how how he heats the Canopy. I really like the set-up-although for a Mega-Ray UVB bulb I wouldn't have access to the bulb any closer than 12-14 inches and I would try to filter it. Perhaps some artifical vines around the light that aren't accessible to your cham? You may be able to get a special Mega-Ray bulb from Bob MacCargar with lower UVB emmissions desgined specifically for chameleons. He used to post info about low UVB output for chameleons on his site. Diane
I love that idea. I'm going to design myself one this weekend!
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago
Valentino, Veiled Chameleon
Chyam, Nosy Be Panther Chameleon