Bay Window?

[haleybobl]

So I have a huge bay window that has a 3 foot ledge on it. I am wondering about the effects this may have if I were to place my veiled chameleon's cage on this ledge. I was thinking that the natural sunlight may be nice for him. It's out of the direct sunlight, so I don't have to be overly worried about the heat issue (especially now during the winter). I would love to hear opinions on this. Thanks!

 

[Paul R]

If the uv passed threw glass then it is reduced by up to 98%, basically if there is glass there is no uv

 

[Brad Ramsey]

If the uv passed threw glass then it is reduced by up to 98%, basically if there is glass there is no uv

True.

However, that may not be the point of placing the enclosure there.
If it doesn't get too hot (and you say it doesn't) it may be beneficial for the animal to feel like it is outside or part of a larger natural environment.
Provide proper UVB lighting and I think it's a great idea.

-Brad

 

[haleybobl]

Yes, he would still have his regular lighting of course. Just moving everything up to the window.

 

[BocaJan]

You still have to use UV bulbs. I have my chams in front of a south facing sliding glass door system. During the winter when the sun shines in from about 11 am to sundown, I shut off the basking lights. They are generally on for 2-3 hours in the morning so my little ones can warm up from the night and digest their food. They really like the window and you can find them all looking out all day long. In the afternoon they sometimes come down and rest in the leaves because it does get warm from the sun. I choose this time to give them a misting, especially if I find them with their mouths open.

I guess what I'm saying is if you are able to monitor your chams then putting them in your window would be a good thing. If you are going to work and just leaving them I would be a little concerned unless you have a large plant that will cast some shade outside the enclosure as well as plants inside the enclosure. Having the shade gives them a break from the heat if the sun does come into the window. Don't forget to leave the UV on for 12 hours.

 

[blackbetty]

What about drafts? OUr sunroom is the coldest room in the house because of the windows right now!! Im sitting here wrapped in a blanket!!! Would that affect the cham at all?

 

[opihiman]

What about drafts? OUr sunroom is the coldest room in the house because of the windows right now!! Im sitting here wrapped in a blanket!!! Would that affect the cham at all?

no matter where you put your cham the same rules apply...The environment needs to be with in tolerances. For example in your case if the room that the bay window is in is 65 at it's peak, and you really wanted to put your cham in the bay window, you would need to find some way of jacking the viv temp up. a heat lamp for example.

agree with BRAD...good advice.

OPI