I have a couple Questions ?????

[TNChameleon]

As we all know, the summer is almost here. And For all you that live in cooler climate zones. I have a couple Questions? I live in Tennessee and I was wondering. Can I take my Chameleons and there cages outside during summer months ? And leave them out over night ? The temperatures never get under 40-45 degrees at night. If I leave them inside, do I have to use there basking light ? If there room temps are stable at 80-85 ? Hopefully these aren't stupid Questions. I'm just looking at saving money (Electric Bill)in the summer months. I've never taken them outside in the summer. So if you can give me some of your experiences of what not to do..

 

[Decadancin]

There is a lot to consider if planning on leaving your chams outside. First and likely the most important is the actual temps that your enclosure will have. You want to have varied temps from a basking area to a cooler area in the shade. (Not sure what type of cham you are talking about.) As for outside spot for an enclosure, I would want an area that has filtered sunlight most of the afternoon, and maybe some direct sun in the morning. The enclosure should have plenty of foliage so the chameleon can escape the heat if needed. As for the 45 degree temps at night, that shouldn't be an issue for many chams. As for the enclosure, I would want something that is protected from any predators. (As much as possible) A solid frame is a must, and you also want to ensure that it can stand up to the weather. You will need to balance the humidity and still mist according to your specific chameleon's needs.
As for the enclosure inside in the summer, I have found that the temps in the summer months do tend to stay a bit higher, but I would think the room would be 80 - 85, but the enclosure would be 78 - 82. (That's about how it works when we have the house opened up for some fresh air. ) You will still want a basking area, but likely will want to use a bulb with a lower wattage. I use a 60 watt during the winter, and often will switch to a 40 watt during the hottest months.

If you are looking for an alternate option, you might consider a chameleon apartment . You can offer some outside time for a few hours in another enclosure (and just make sure they are safe) and take them in at night. You wouldn't need to run a UVB lamp or a basking bulb, and could offer you pet something they LOVE - natural sunlight!!!

 

[Psychobunny]

In the spring and summer I take all my guyz outside.
I have a bunch of small cages to transfer them to, but I guess you could more
the big cage outside as well, just more work.
Outside temps should not go below 50F, so you need to take them in at night.

Early morning sun is best, before it gets too hot.
And you want to make sure they have some shade so they don't cook in the sun.
I would take them out at about 8am and bring them in mid-afternoon.

Also make sure they are secure in cages, predators, esp. birds, can get them.
Lots of members have lost chams due to bird attacks.

 

[fluxlizard]

I've moved my chams out all summer every year for many years.
I move them out in the spring and leave them out all summer until fall. Most species like panthers are good down to 50 at night, veileds can go even cooler (I go 40 for veileds).

I put my cages where they have sun nearly all day, and then make sure they have shade within the cage itself as well as sunlight. Sometimes this is acheived by something as simple as placing a board across the south end of the top of the cages, sometimes I simply rely on the shade from the potted plants if they have had a few years to grow.

The cages are placed on rustic tables, tied to the tables and then the tables are staked into the ground. We have one huge storm most every summer that ends up blowing trees down, etc, so securing the caging so that it can withstand gale force winds is a must.

I use a patio cooling mist system to provide water and cool the cages when necessary. Veileds and panthers are very heat tolerant provided they have regular water and can escape the sunlight into the shade. But when temps climb well into the 90s I tend to run the misters longer for them (hours sometimes most of the afternoon if temps are mid 90s or above) The misters dampen part of the enclosure, but not the whole thing- the lizard gets to choose and use the misters according to his/her instinctual needs for cooling/moisture. Some species like jacksons or melleri require lots of misting to keep the cage cool enough- when temps climb into the mid 80s the misters go on and may remain on most of the day if I'm working with species that like things a bit cooler.

As for predators- I only ever had a single animal break into any cage, although I've seen lots of potential predators walking around between the tables. The animal was a racoon and the cage was on the ground, not up on a table. It had baby dilepis in it. The coon ripped the metal screen, entered the cage, at all the baby dilepis, left a big poop to spite me in the cage, and then went home to bed. I took the poop to the extension service and they identified it as a racoon. Since moving all the cages up on tables I never had a repeat problem. And that is significant- I've had well over 100 cages out in the yard many years and have been keeping things outside in the summers nearly 20 years now. In my yard I've seen dogs, cats, coyotes, a bobcat, skunks, opossums, field rats and mice, and a hawk that got one of my chickens and the only other break-in I had was a preschooler who liberated all my corucia (!) one year. So watch your neighbor kids.

 

[TNChameleon]

Thank you

Thank you guys for the information. I do appreciate you all. This forum is so neat. Great for information