Housing panther chameleon outdoors in Miami

[Slinkyspanthers]

I have a 7 motnh old ambilobe male along with 2 females around a yr old. I am housing them seperate. I have the male in a wood and sreen enclosure about 5ft tall by 2 by 2. Then the females are the same size cages. Lots of trees and I have about half the roof top of the cage with wood so if it rains consequtively it has a spot to stay dry, and he can have shade if its too hot. The sun rises from the east, so I opted to set the cages where they can get the first 4-5 hours of the sun directly, then the sun passes over the house and it becomes shaded around the cages location. I have an outdoor misting system that runs 4 times daily for a duration of 3 minutes each time. This is more than enough to cool them down if need be or suffuicient time for them to drink etc. I have noticed that the past few days weve a significant amount of rain in sunny south florida. My concern is that due to this rain there appetite has decreased a bit. Would this be a problem? Also I have bred panthers indoor with no serious problems. I just feel like the outdoors would give them a better and longer life. If you have experience housing panther chams outdoors then please tell me if im doing something wrong or if this sounds gd

 

[Dez]

Everything you are doing sounds good to me.
Are they not eating at all? and for how long?

I do notice that when it rains a lot, especially heavy rain. my chams will hunker down and not move much. Maybe their added lack of movement is causing the appetite to decrease.

 

[Slinkyspanthers]

Everything you are doing sounds good to me.
Are they not eating at all? and for how long?

I do notice that when it rains a lot, especially heavy rain. my chams will hunker down and not move much. Maybe their added lack of movement is causing the appetite to decrease.

Thanks alot for the help. I have noticed the decrease in activity. He usualy paces around like normal but hes not that active after rain. His appetite as decreased but has still not refused butterworms. The females have refused food( after the rainy days). The thing I didnt mention originaly is that they have been outdoors for about a week now. The rain started 2 days after they were moved outdoors. This is new to the chams and myself. Again thanks in advance to all who have looked or commented on this or any thread helping out chameleon enthusiasist. Its a small world might aswell make it a pleasent one at that.

 

[Slinkyspanthers]

Thanks alot for the help. I have noticed the decrease in activity. He usualy paces around like normal but hes not that active after rain. His appetite as decreased but has still not refused butterworms. The females have refused food( after the rainy days). The thing I didnt mention originaly is that they have been outdoors for about a week now. The rain started 2 days after they were moved outdoors. This is new to the chams and myself. Again thanks in advance to all who have looked or commented on this or any thread helping out chameleon enthusiasist. Its a small world might aswell make it a pleasent one at that.

He refused the giant mealworms and the butterworms. The females refused the worms aswell. This is the first time for the male and the second time for the females. we have had scattered rain for the past 3 days. I am concerned that they will become lethargic and die. Any have this happen to their chameleons?

 

[fluxlizard]

I think you may not be giving your panthers enough direct sun time.
These guys are sun-worshipers in nature. They are found in clearings, along roads, etc where sun is available all day. Shade is important too, and sounds like you have your enclosures well planned out for that- except for the location. 4-5 hours of sun in the morning only is not what they like.

 

[Olimpia]

Yea, I agree, give them a few more hours of sun access if you can. Mine will just bask and bask and bask in the sun when I have them outside.

Your male is beautiful, by the way. Reminds me of one I used to have, whom I miss a lot.

 

[Slinkyspanthers]

Thanks guys, I will look into moving them to a spot with more direct sunlight. I was a little afraid of them roasting in the sun. It can get hot under the sun here in miami. This male is showing alot of potential for his young age. Im excited about getting some eggs cooking soon. Thanks again guys.

 

[ataraxia]

Id like to know more of your care if you are seeing a decrease in appetite. I have only heard worms as feeders at this point.

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

 

[Slinkyspanthers]

Id like to know more of your care if you are seeing a decrease in appetite. I have only heard worms as feeders at this point.

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - I have a panther chameleon. He is 7 months old
Handling - I do not handle him that often. I purchased him last saturday.
Feeding -I feed my chams an assortment of crickets, giant mealworms, super worms, and silkworms, hornworms. I try to feed him about 2-3 worms deoending on size and a couple crickets. I feed them daily because hes still young. I feed my crickets fresh fruits and try to feed the crickets shortly before I offer them to the chams.
Supplements - I use repcal and herptivite one is a blue jar and a white one aswell. I use sticky tounge farm minerl I.
Watering - I use an outdoor misting system. Misting them 4 times daily for 3 minutes each misting.
Fecal Description - The fecies is normal in apearance, I have not test for parasites. I dont feel the need to, the breeder is a very reputable person.
History - The breeder I bought this awsome cham from kept him indoors. He loves silkworms and crickets. The breeder says he might be taking a little to adjust to being housed outdoors.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - I built a screen enclosure. Its 5'6" tall and 2' by 2'.
Lighting - They are kept outdoors. They get direct sunlight. From 7 am until around 2pm. I found a better space.
Temperature - The usual tempature during the days is around low to mid 80's. The night drops about 10 degress.
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - I am using a big ficus tree, I have a few branches and 1/2 inch wooden sticks purchased from a hardware store placed in all angles.
Placement - It placed at a corner of the house. Its between the house and a the.perimeter fence. Its a gd spot, remotely quiet except for the guard dogs walking by every once in a while.
Location - I am in south florida, Miami to be exact.

 

[Seeco]

This should work:

https://www.chameleonforums.com/my-methods-part-3-outdoor-caging-72563/