One of the most common mistakes I have discovered with new keepers is that they believe their chameleon's environment needs to be kept at suffocatingly high tropical temperatures at all times.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
It is true that veiled chameleons love to bask, and the temperature in the basking area should be the highest in the enclosure.
It is my opinion that a basking temp of 95 degrees f. is plenty hot for an adult and younger animals should be provided with a cooler "hot spot".
A basking temperature of 80 degrees f. is sufficient for chameleons 3 months old and younger. Young animals are not terribly good at thermoregulation and may not know to get out of the heat when they need to. This is often evidenced by the observation of a gaping chameleon. They can cool themselves by opening their mouths and young animals will tend to do this rather than move to a cooler spot in the enclosure.
Thermoregulation is the term used in reference to a cold blooded animal's ability to control it's body temperature by moving to warmer or cooler locations. It is essential that chameleons be provided a gradient of temperatures within the enclosure to allow them to warm or cool themselves.
The basking light will provide the hottest spot in a corner at the top of the enclosure. At the bottom of the enclosure should be the coolest temp (perhaps 68 or 70 degrees) in the middle will be an ambient temp of anywhere from 72 to 80 degrees.
Night time temperatures are where people most often make a mistake.
No ceramic heater or red heat lamp should be provided at night...regardless of what the "expert" at the pet store tells you. Veiled Chameleons can withstand night time temps into the 40's. A good night time temp is between 60 and 65 degrees f.
The drop in temp is required for them at night. It slows down their metabolism and facilitates heavy sleeping. They will not rest well at night with temps that are too high.
In the morning your chameleon will make it's way to the basking spot and warm up for the day. This is very important as well, as it speeds up the metabolism allowing them hunt and digest their food properly.
