Myth 33: “Chameleons Need a Basking Bulb or Ceramic Heater at Night”
False—and potentially harmful.
What Happens in Nature?
Chameleons are not tropical lizards basking under warm moonlight. In fact, most species originate from regions where nighttime temperatures regularly drop below 20°C, and in many cases, much lower. This includes:
Chamaeleo calyptratus (Veiled Chameleon) from Yemen, where highland nights can approach freezing
Furcifer pardalis (Panther Chameleon) from Madagascar, often found at elevations up to 1000 meters, where night temperatures can dip dramatically
These animals are adapted to cool, humid, and misty nights. They rely on these conditions for proper rest, hydration, and physiological balance.
Why Cool Nights Matter
Chameleons need low nighttime temperatures to:
Slow down their metabolism
Enter deep, restorative sleep
Regulate hormonal cycles
Support gametogenesis (reproductive health)
Avoid chronic stress and exhaustion
If kept too warm at night, they may remain semi-active, fail to sleep properly, and over time, suffer from:
Apathy
Immune suppression
Hormonal imbalance
Sterility
Premature death
The Hidden Problem: Infrared Light and the Parietal Eye
Even if a heat source emits no visible light, it still radiates infrared (IR) energy—and chameleons can detect it.
Chameleons possess a third eye, called the parietal eye, located on the top of their head. This light-sensitive organ works in tandem with the pineal gland to regulate circadian rhythms and sleep cycles.
When exposed to IR radiation at night:
The parietal eye detects the light
The pineal gland suppresses melatonin production
The chameleon fails to enter proper sleep
This means that ceramic heaters, red bulbs, or any IR-emitting devices disrupt sleep—even if they appear "dark" to us. Chameleons can see IR light.
What If It's Too Cold?
If ambient temperatures drop dangerously close to freezing (e.g., below 5°C), air heating may be necessary—but only under strict conditions:
Use non-radiant heat sources (e.g., room heaters or heat panels with shielding)
Ensure no light or IR radiation reaches the enclosure
Maintain gentle airflow and humidity to mimic natural foggy nights
However, this is rarely needed. Most chameleons tolerate and even benefit from cool nights. In fact, artificially warming them can do more harm than good.
Conclusion: Let Them Sleep Cold
Chameleons are not desert reptiles. They are cool-night specialists. Their biology depends on the drop in temperature and light to reset their systems, rest deeply, and thrive.
Using basking bulbs or ceramic heaters at night is not just unnecessary—it's disruptive. Unless you're dealing with extreme cold in an uninsulated space, let the night be dark and cool.