Hurricane sandy what can you do?

[gary90]

I was wondering if anyone was affected by the hurricane and lost power? what did you do to help your chameleons for x amount of days? and how can i better prepare for a snow storm/ future power outtages?

 

[KatelinLovesCommah]

Interested as well..

Sorry- no advice, but just wanted to *bump* this post alittle because i'm very interested in "emergency" power outage advice/WHAT TO DO IF.... situations.


we have bad winters and I want to be prepared for a power outage or storm.

Thanks for making me think!

 

[Rango183]

most people in my area just left their oven on and provided alot heat pads but for regular reptiles i dont know what anyone has done for a cham since temperature can drop real low since it snowed afterwards.

 

[Randi]

If you don't have a generator, you have a few options for short-term use. I'd say the best option is to buy some non-electric heat packs, as these will last several days. Additionally, you can wrap the enclosure with a blanket, or move the cham to a smaller temporary enclosure which would better hold heat. When I have lost power when I had my rats, I use hot or cold water bottles as well (you could use a hot water bottle with a towel wrapped around if you have your cham in a smaller space like a shoe box). You could pack up as though you would be shipping the chameleon, and that will suffice for just a bit.

Also, I have also heard of people using a UPS battery backup for a heat lamp, or a battery operated space heater. On sunny days, place the enclosure near a window for natural sunlight and warmth when temperature-appropriate.

Keep in mind that they can go without UVB for a short time.

 

[hoofy888]

my home was pretty much destroyed in the storm. luckily i had a 4' cage for my panther. half the cage was completely submerged. he went a couple of days without food water or heat. there is nothing you can do to prepare for a storm like that. im now living at my parents house and my panther is doing well with me in his new 4' cage. also got a new mistking as the last one was destroyed. hes still eating like a champ and looking great

 

[Lovereps]

It was bad...If only LIPA our electric supplier would bury the power lines

then there would be little chance of the same electric problems happening again. They supply electricity to nearly all of Long Island, NY and are a monopoly here.
After all, we're in the path of virtually all the hurricanes that travel up the east coast.
Flooding--well, there isn't anything anyone can do about that.

My primary concern is that the chams will get too cold.
A few days without lights would probably not be so bad but no heat can be a much bigger problem IMHO.
Without a generator, Randi's suggestions are all good ideas for hours but not days. Even a battery backup will only power an incandescent bulb for a few hours at best.
If you have a fireplace or wood stove for heat, then at least they won't be in danger from getting too cold but you'll have to do things to keep the humidity up.
If you're able to boil water, then you can put large pots of boiled water in your cham's room.
Unless you are in a rural enough area, your neighbors won't like the noisy generator running at night.



Bottom line; get a generator and stock up on extra gasoline when a severe storm threatens.

 

[Lovereps]

my home was pretty much destroyed in the storm. luckily i had a 4' cage for my panther. half the cage was completely submerged. he went a couple of days without food water or heat. there is nothing you can do to prepare for a storm like that. im now living at my parents house and my panther is doing well with me in his new 4' cage. also got a new mistking as the last one was destroyed. hes still eating like a champ and looking greatView attachment 68033

Hoofy, I'm so very sorry to hear that.
I don't think people outside LI and NYC realize the magnitude of the destruction in our area.
There is nothing you can do to keep your house from getting destroyed in the flooding from a storm like this one.
Hope you're able to rebuild and that your family is all safe.
God bless.

 

[hoofy888]

thanks. we were lucky we evacuated. my whole neiborhood was wiped out. 23 people died here on staten island.

 

[gary90]

I live in pa but we never got it that bad as Long Island my family went with out electricity for a week but still not even close to what happen. Hoofy hope everything goes well for you here and on out

 

[Bradypod]

I have seen chameleons survive horrendous conditions in the wild. Most healthy chameleons are much tougher than most of us think! Supplying a little non-electric heat during a power outage should work fine.

 

[leet13]

my home was pretty much destroyed in the storm. luckily i had a 4' cage for my panther. half the cage was completely submerged. he went a couple of days without food water or heat. there is nothing you can do to prepare for a storm like that. im now living at my parents house and my panther is doing well with me in his new 4' cage. also got a new mistking as the last one was destroyed. hes still eating like a champ and looking greatView attachment 68033

So sorry to hear this! I am glad you and your family are ok!