A project.

[Syn]

I'm considering purchasing a heat-tolerate chameleon, and I'd like to house it outside.
The only problem is the fact that it can get up to 120 degrees here some days.
I am trying to set up a project that would allow me to cage a chameleon outside in a 260 gallon reptarium without the ambient inside the cage getting too hot.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to post.
This is only a project and if things get too expensive or difficult to maintain I may just quash the whole idea.
I'm just wondering what everyones' thoughts and opinions on it are.

Note, the cage will be under an awning and out of the sun in the hottest part of the day. I will be purchasing a misting system and probably filling it with ice water.
I may not go through with this idea at all if it is too risky. I will have the chameleon's best interests at heart.

Well, on to the forum's ideas!

 

[james L]

Consider something in the genus Chamaeleo. There are some that like it hot. 120 is to hot for really any chameleon in my opinion, but if you can keep it around 90 in the shadey spots, you might be able to put the project together. You going to have to do alot of misting though. Live plants galore!

 

[Syn]

Right, I'm going to have to really watch the 120 spots. 90 is doable, I know people who have outside areas at 90 even on the really hot days.. just need to figure out how.
Verrucosus and Oustaleti have been suggested to me in the past. I plan on having a large misting reservoir. Thanks for your input James.

 

[ChameleonRave]

I'm considering purchasing a heat-tolerate chameleon, and I'd like to house it outside.
The only problem is the fact that it can get up to 120 degrees here some days.
I am trying to set up a project that would allow me to cage a chameleon outside in a 260 gallon reptarium without the ambient inside the cage getting too hot.

If you have any ideas or suggestions, feel free to post.
This is only a project and if things get too expensive or difficult to maintain I may just quash the whole idea.
I'm just wondering what everyones' thoughts and opinions on it are.

Note, the cage will be under an awning and out of the sun in the hottest part of the day. I will be purchasing a misting system and probably filling it with ice water.
I may not go through with this idea at all if it is too risky. I will have the chameleon's best interests at heart.

Well, on to the forum's ideas!

well Ik that I am not very informative on this part, but what about finding a big tree and or like you said your awning and have about 75% in the shade and have a sunny spot. (probably already thought about it. lol) or if it were ever possible put a fan near it. unless its breezy out. hope some input would help. not very good at that since im up in the most boring state of all SD! lol Good luck with your project! and if I were you I would choose Oustie! just cus lol

 

[SpinyFranky]

I second Chamaeolo, but ide go further and recommend Calyptratus.

Veiled Chameleons LOVE it hot, and their natural habitat is known for its temperature extremes. Now Im not saying to just put one in the sun (110+ F.) all day.... but I think a cage half in sun half in shade - with an excellent misting system (aka soaks down the entire cage multiple times a day) would be able to work.

As for using a reptarium as a permanent outdoor cage.... I have my doubts, it would just be too easy for any stray animal to pick off you chameleon in the night. I would suggest building an actual outdoor cage using cheap yet strong materials.

Four wood posts buried half way in your back yard with all four sides (yes even the flooring) covered in a strong chicken wire + a door would make for a amazing permanent cage. Cleaning would be as simple as removing the chameleon from its house and spraying the entire thing down with your hose.

 

[Syn]

Thanks for the suggestion Franky. Unfortunately we are not allowed to dig in our yards. I don't remember exactly why. It has to be something that is moveable as well.

If you would suggest a calyptratus, I suppose I could move my adult veiled into it then.

 

[ChameleonRave]

I second Chamaeolo, but ide go further and recommend Calyptratus.

Veiled Chameleons LOVE it hot, and their natural habitat is known for its temperature extremes. Now Im not saying to just put one in the sun (110+ F.) all day.... but I think a cage half in sun half in shade - with an excellent misting system (aka soaks down the entire cage multiple times a day) would be able to work.

As for using a reptarium as a permanent outdoor cage.... I have my doubts, it would just be too easy for any stray animal to pick off you chameleon in the night. I would suggest building an actual outdoor cage using cheap yet strong materials.

Four wood posts buried half way in your back yard with all four sides (yes even the flooring) covered in a strong chicken wire + a door would make for a amazing permanent cage. Cleaning would be as simple as removing the chameleon from its house and spraying the entire thing down with your hose.

I agree with Franky. don't leave it out at night. especially in Arizona. I am not sure where specifically you are located at if it is near Tuscon. My grandparents live out there in the winter and they say that there are many coyotes out there. so that is something to consider. i am not for sure if they come into your backyard or not, but ik they do with my gparents. Hope you get everything worked out.

 

[Syn]

No where near Tuscon. I am considering putting a large fence up to where it would be screened in, even the top. We have squirrels.... that's about the worst we get. No coyotes here, too much housing.

 

[ChameleonRave]

I second Chamaeolo, but ide go further and recommend Calyptratus.

Veiled Chameleons LOVE it hot, and their natural habitat is known for its temperature extremes. Now Im not saying to just put one in the sun (110+ F.) all day.... but I think a cage half in sun half in shade - with an excellent misting system (aka soaks down the entire cage multiple times a day) would be able to work.

As for using a reptarium as a permanent outdoor cage.... I have my doubts, it would just be too easy for any stray animal to pick off you chameleon in the night. I would suggest building an actual outdoor cage using cheap yet strong materials.

Four wood posts buried half way in your back yard with all four sides (yes even the flooring) covered in a strong chicken wire + a door would make for a amazing permanent cage. Cleaning would be as simple as removing the chameleon from its house and spraying the entire thing down with your hose.

No where near Tuscon. I am considering putting a large fence up to where it would be screened in, even the top. We have squirrels.... that's about the worst we get. No coyotes here, too much housing.

haha thats cool! i love AZ no snow for the most parts unless mts. and atleast its only squirrels.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

The price of water is expensive in Arizona however keeping chameleon in areas that can be extremely hot there are some options. It is 105 today and I have got a misting system in my greenhouse that sprays a fine mist like what you see on the benches of football games and it cools (although with a swamp cooler) the greenhouse to about 78-80F. Where if it was only the swamp cooler running the temps would be 85-95. During days here in California when outside temperatures can reach 115F in the greenhouse with the swamp cooler and misters on the greenhouse stays at 80. That may not be an option though as here in central California we have got a lot of water resources and in Arizona acquiring water for a system like that can be expensive.

 

[Syn]

Very true, Motherlode. I will be looking into my options. Unfortunately there is only one water company that reaches our area of the valley.. I am not sure how much cost this will add to the monthly bill. Trying to think of every way to do this.

As far as green houses go, I'd LOVE to do one but there is no yard space for a proper size.

 

[SpinyFranky]

No digging in your own yard? hmmmm

I supposed you could do something similar and just hold it down via stakes (you can put stakes in the ground can't you?)

The reptarium is dangerous enough when used under supervision and for only a few hours per day. I cannot honestly say that I would feel good knowing my pet was outside in one 24/7. The mesh would just make it all to easy for a coyote/hawk/raccoon/fox/ nearly any other local predator with teeth or claws the tear through it and get at the animal.

It also runs the risk of tipping over easily were something to actually hit it - strong winds/ tree debris e.t.c e.t.c.


AT the very least I would say build your own screen cage. An adult veiled would be in absolute heaven in say 72Hx72Wx72D (remember half would be in shade) and you would also be able to actually enter the cage to remove the cham/ adjust things. Metal screen would make it much safer though I still recommend the chicken wire

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

Just build an outdoor sun cage. During nice days, morning hours /evening that are hospitable move your chameleon outside. While when the weather is to hot or to cold bring them inside to a cage/free range inside the house where there is AC.

 

[Coby]

That would be cool. I wish the weather here in UT didnt change so drastically. Although, when I move to Southern Utah I think it would be fun to do exactly what you're saying.

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

That would be cool. I wish the weather here in UT didnt change so drastically. Although, when I move to Southern Utah I think it would be fun to do exactly what you're saying.

Nothing fun about it, the best way to expose your chameleons to UVA and UVB rays bar none is by exposing them to natural sunlight. Ambient temperature and humidity permitting.

Sun cages are great though!!

 

[chameleonneeds]

Hey Syn.

Whats the temps like in the shade? I assume the 120 degrees is the temp you get if sitting in the sun.
If you consider keeping the chameleons outside keep them in a large enough cage that has a lot of foilage. That way the chameleons will choose to bask or sit in the shade whenever they want. The chameleons should be fine if they have shade they can get to by themselves.

Misting them a bit more regulary should also be fine.

 

[Syn]

The reptarium is dangerous enough when used under supervision and for only a few hours per day. I cannot honestly say that I would feel good knowing my pet was outside in one 24/7. The mesh would just make it all to easy for a coyote/hawk/raccoon/fox/ nearly any other local predator with teeth or claws the tear through it and get at the animal.

It also runs the risk of tipping over easily were something to actually hit it - strong winds/ tree debris e.t.c e.t.c.


AT the very least I would say build your own screen cage. An adult veiled would be in absolute heaven in say 72Hx72Wx72D (remember half would be in shade) and you would also be able to actually enter the cage to remove the cham/ adjust things. Metal screen would make it much safer though I still recommend the chicken wire

Franky, there really are no animals around here that would be dangerous to the chameleon. Even the squirrels are starting to disappear. There is construction going on "next door" (a huge lot that recently was bought out by a big company) and I haven't seen much wildlife since. Also, as far as winds and tree debris goes.. there aren't any trees in the park I live in and the cage will probably be tied down to the fence I'd be putting up.

Hey Syn.

Whats the temps like in the shade? I assume the 120 degrees is the temp you get if sitting in the sun.
If you consider keeping the chameleons outside keep them in a large enough cage that has a lot of foilage. That way the chameleons will choose to bask or sit in the shade whenever they want. The chameleons should be fine if they have shade they can get to by themselves.

Misting them a bit more regulary should also be fine.

That's right, 120 is the temp in the sun. I've taken my chameleon out before in 105 (the veiled) and he will sun for a while and then get out of the sun, bask, get out. It's really neat.