Doesn't like it outside???

[ChamOh]

It's a nice day here and I decided to set my guys cage outside to get some natural sun in my quiet back yard while I clean the chameleon area. When I took him out he turned really dark and hid about half way down his cage, completely out of the sun and he's staying like that.

There is no cloud cover and in direct sun it's about 89 degrees, ambient is 65. His cage is in half sun, half shade.

I guess he's stressed--should I bring him back in? He's been out for a total of 20 minutes now.

Thanks!

 

[hallenhe]

He's in a screen cage so he has no risk of baking? (Had to check.)

Are there birds, other animals, traffic he can see?

If you've got the time, try sitting somewhere near the cage where you can unobtrusively keep an eye on him, maybe give him a treat. It does sound like he's stressed for some reason; it would be a shame if he stays like this and doesn't get to benefit from natural sunlight.

 

[ChamOh]

He's in a screen cage so he has no risk of baking? (Had to check.)

Are there birds, other animals, traffic he can see?

If you've got the time, try sitting somewhere near the cage where you can unobtrusively keep an eye on him, maybe give him a treat. It does sound like he's stressed for some reason; it would be a shame if he stays like this and doesn't get to benefit from natural sunlight.

Yep, all screen. Well the birds are hard to avoid, but they aren't really in sight. Maybe I can coax him out with a treat. good idea.. Wish I didn't just run out of supers.. grr..not sure that a cricket will be enticing enough.

 

[draetish]

You might have to slowly introduce him to it. Great idea from Hallenhe to "spy" on him. How old is your cham?

 

[boj3434]

Try settin him somewhere out of sit from alot of moving objects

 

[ChamOh]

5 months old..

 

[kinyonga]

Taking them outside puts them on the defensive IMHO...in the house they seem to realize that they are safe from predators...but when you put them outside they have to watch for things that might attack them. (Just my opinion.)

 

[draetish]

Is he still out there and how's he doing?

 

[ChamOh]

Thanks everyone.

I brought him in, as he didn't seem to be warming up to the idea of being outside. He looked very stressed and was black and hiding. I though he would relish in some natural light, but apparently not ready for that!

I brought him in, he's still hiding out way in the back of his cage behind some dense leaves. I hope he comes out soon and basks.

 

[draetish]

Give him time and try again. Not sure how long you've had him, but he may still be getting use to his new surroundings too.