❄️Winter is coming❄️

[Lucas00-]

Alright so I have only had my chameleon since April and have learned so much, but I don’t think I’ve read much on chameleon keeping during the winter time. I know the proper temps the room should be in but I live with my sister and I can’t run an oil heater in the back of the house or else the electricity bill will be insane. I worry about daytime ambient temperatures in the near future. The last few weeks his basking temp is fine but the heat doesn’t travel down too much and the lower part of the enclosure is at like 68-70° and the upper part will get around 71-73ish. I’ve had to turn the fan on top down really low so it doesn’t suck out all the heat lol. It’s gonna get even colder so I expect his temps to be struggling. I’ll probably swap out my 50w for a 75w so it pumps out more heat into the enclosure. Anyone have some experience or tips that may help me maintain healthy husbandry for the colder months (6 months where I live) Thanks in advance everyone I appreciate y’all.

 

[MissSkittles]

Alright so I have only had my chameleon since April and have learned so much, but I don’t think I’ve read much on chameleon keeping during the winter time. I know the proper temps the room should be in but I live with my sister and I can’t run an oil heater in the back of the house or else the electricity bill will be insane. I worry about daytime ambient temperatures in the near future. The last few weeks his basking temp is fine but the heat doesn’t travel down too much and the lower part of the enclosure is at like 68-70° and the upper part will get around 71-73ish. I’ve had to turn the fan on top down really low so it doesn’t suck out all the heat lol. It’s gonna get even colder so I expect his temps to be struggling. I’ll probably swap out my 50w for a 75w so it pumps out more heat into the enclosure. Anyone have some experience or tips that may help me maintain healthy husbandry for the colder months (6 months where I live) Thanks in advance everyone I appreciate y’all.

I would suggest getting a collection of varied watts of basking bulbs and monitor temps thru the day to adjust as needed. You may want to think about getting a herpstat to keep the temp more consistent. https://spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1 That is probably the best way to go.

 

[nightanole]

Contrary to popular belief, chameleons are fine "cold" as long as the basking area gets to at least 75. So it can be 45 air temp in the morning and still be fine if its a "sunny day". I would not use a space heater, again they are fine with the room temp of 55-60. Currently in Madagascar this mornings low was 55, and we are well past july's "yearly low".

As for basking bulbs, i dont go bigger, i multiply. My current setup is a few 35 watt halogens to heat up "an area". You dont want a 120 watt "hot spot".

 

[regal81455]

And I'll add an alternative to the herpestat just like I do with the mister... this dimming thermostat works fantastic and is only $30.

https://www.amazon.com/REPTIZOO-The...-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

 

[regal81455]

It should also be said... please understand if you live in an area that sees wintery conditions do not be alarmed when your cham appears to slow down some. They don't hibernate or go through dispause but they do go through something....they can sense the changing seasons without even really seeing or experiencing them from my observations.

 

[Lucas00-]

I would suggest getting a collection of varied watts of basking bulbs and monitor temps thru the day to adjust as needed. You may want to think about getting a herpstat to keep the temp more consistent. https://spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1 That is probably the best way to go.

I’m going to definitely look into that, sounds like a fancy thing that would help me out, thank you!

 

[Lucas00-]

It should also be said... please understand if you live in an area that sees wintery conditions do not be alarmed when your cham appears to slow down some. They don't hibernate or go through dispause but they do go through something....they can sense the changing seasons without even really seeing or experiencing them from my observations.

I did read some information that their appetite may slow down due to the temps and could be normal for him to skip a few days and only eat a few feeders. This makes me feel better. I haven’t set it up yet but I got a new heat dome with a temperature probe that I can program to dim down when things are too hot so that along with another dome to supplement more heat will probably help a lot. Thank you my friend