Hello,
I have really been thinking about getting some chameleons again but, I have recently moved and am trying to figure out which species will do best outdoor for most of the year. I have previously kept Rudis and have bred R. Temporalis and R. Brevicaudatus so I do have some expierence with chams as well as with many other types of reptiles. I am currently living in Arcata, Ca.
Average day time temps here in the spring and summer are on average in the low to upper 60's with the occasional day up into the mid 70's. The night time drops are into the upper 50s. In fall the day time temps are in the low 60s to upper 50s with a night drop to lower 50s upper 40s. In winter the daytime temps are in the 50s with a night drop into the 40s. We do get the occasional freeze so I will have temporary encolsures availible inside.
The humidity is usually in the 60-80% and most days are partially cloudy for most of the year, except in winter when it rains almost every day.
The cages that will be outdoor that I am setting up will be roughly 6'x3'x6' and I have room for up to 8 but will probably do less cages with more room. The indoor cages will be significantly smaller, around 2'x2'x2'.
I am looking for species that can be semi-communal, live bearing and able to tolerate outside tempatures for at least 3 seasons. The only chameleon that I am positive will do excellently, probably year round is hoenelli. The remaining species I am considering are; Bitan, ellioti, rudis, Mt. Meru dwarfs, goetzi, tempeli, fuellborni (I reallly want to try these), and potentially some speices of brachypodium. If anyone, *cough*trace*cough*, could help me narrow down the list or even add a few good canidaites I would love to know.
Thanks
Danny
I have really been thinking about getting some chameleons again but, I have recently moved and am trying to figure out which species will do best outdoor for most of the year. I have previously kept Rudis and have bred R. Temporalis and R. Brevicaudatus so I do have some expierence with chams as well as with many other types of reptiles. I am currently living in Arcata, Ca.
Average day time temps here in the spring and summer are on average in the low to upper 60's with the occasional day up into the mid 70's. The night time drops are into the upper 50s. In fall the day time temps are in the low 60s to upper 50s with a night drop to lower 50s upper 40s. In winter the daytime temps are in the 50s with a night drop into the 40s. We do get the occasional freeze so I will have temporary encolsures availible inside.
The humidity is usually in the 60-80% and most days are partially cloudy for most of the year, except in winter when it rains almost every day.
The cages that will be outdoor that I am setting up will be roughly 6'x3'x6' and I have room for up to 8 but will probably do less cages with more room. The indoor cages will be significantly smaller, around 2'x2'x2'.
I am looking for species that can be semi-communal, live bearing and able to tolerate outside tempatures for at least 3 seasons. The only chameleon that I am positive will do excellently, probably year round is hoenelli. The remaining species I am considering are; Bitan, ellioti, rudis, Mt. Meru dwarfs, goetzi, tempeli, fuellborni (I reallly want to try these), and potentially some speices of brachypodium. If anyone, *cough*trace*cough*, could help me narrow down the list or even add a few good canidaites I would love to know.
Thanks
Danny