Body temps of basking chameleons

[elrojo]

I'm sure most of you use temp guns, and I was curious at what body temperature you see your animals reach when put outside. My adults seem to refuse to come into the shade on hot days, so I bring them inside when their body reaches over 95f. -which can happen in ten/fifteen minutes on some days. On one hand, there is plenty of shade they can go in if they need. But I can't help but think they would bask for quite a while if allowed. Has anyone ever recorded their animals temps? And what would you consider a safe range? Thanks in advance.

 

[fluxlizard]

I don't use temp guns. But I can't help but wonder if the surface temp of your chameleons is much hotter than their core temperature after basking for only a few minutes.

Personally, I prefer to let the lizard decide what it needs. After all, they have been doing it for millions of years. That said, it is important they have plenty of options- if it is 90 in the shade, it's too hot for your chameleon most likely.

It also depends on your chameleon- panther will probably want more heat than a montium.

Kinyonga posted some great pdfs a while back that were studies of wild chameleons body temp. You can probably dig them up if you search. Probably that will provide you with better data for the sort of answer than the one I am giving you.

Here is how I do mine during the summers- I just described this in another thread a day or two ago, so I am going to be lazy and copy and paste-

Normally we have temps around 85-88 with less than a handful of days reaching 90 or above. This summer most days in my area have been 90 or above temps below 90 have been the exception- many days have reached 95 and the highest 98. My mellers (adults and juvies) (and veileds and wee baby panthers (about 4-5" total length)) are doing great with the patio misters.

It is important to provide shade, and dry shade and sunny areas in the enclosures as well as misted areas, and plenty of ventilation. Don't force the lizard to be wet and don't force it to be wet to be in the sun or the shade (provide dry shade, wet shade, dry sun, and wet sun) I use 1 mist head per enclosure- the air in the enclosure - even the air not misted directly in the dry parts of the enclosures are cooler than the air outside the enclosures.

Normally I use about 4 hours in the hottest part of the day- this year I've had to use several hours from early afternoon to early evening because of extreme temps.

 

[elrojo]

Thanks! I'll search for Kinyonga's posts.

I'm unsure if I'm bringing them in prematurely. My maro was almost 100 on the surface when I brought him in, temps outside are only 81 right now. They seem to love it, and get quite active and hungry after a basking session. And the baby veileds go from pea green to showing adult patterning for flashes after their sessions. The only thing that worries me is that I've yet to see one seek shade. Granted 20 minutes at a time is as long as I've left them out in this weather.

 

[fluxlizard]

One last note on my comment- I noticed I forgot to mention mine stay out 24/7 all summer from sometime in May until sometime around the first of october- night temps remaining above 50 are my guidelines for when to bring them out and bring them back in again in spring and fall.