Leaving Chamelon outside

[leu]

Hi All im new here and probably would like to have a chamelon.

I live in SG and hope to take advantage of the tropical climate. Woulld it be advisable to leave a chamelon outside? i.e. something like a natural habitat without any automatic mist system & heating lamps

Thus my question is will it be able to take the intense heat during the day/night and sometimes it could rain the whole day. Since chamelons are found in tropical rain forest & desserts, can i assume that they will be able to survive in these conditions naturally?

Any thoughts,experiences ?

Thanks

 

[SilverWolf]

So where do you live? SC you mean? I haven't heard of SG can you just spell it all out?

Also, what kind of chameleon are you considering getting?

 

[leu]

Sorry. I meant Singapore.

I'm planning for a panther or a nosy be if i can get any as it's quite difficult to buy a chameleon in Singapore.

Thanks

 

[oblgobl]

I don't keep chams outside myself (not a chance were I live) but hopefully I can help a little.
Panther chameleons like there ambient temps around 70-80 so if it's usually hotter or colder than that I'd imagine it would be a problem. Even though they rely on heat to survive being too hot will often cause more problems than being too cold.

People do keep them outside in some places and in the wild it rains all day sometimes so I'd assume if it wasn't too cold they'd be ok. If you were having a dry day I would think you'd need to mist his cage so he could drink. It wouldn't need any uv light assuming he'd me in some kind of mesh enclouser.

You'd need to make sure his enclouse would be somewere secure were no one could get to it. Unfortunately there are nasty people out there who might want to steal your cham or just hurt him for 'fun'.

 

[jannb]

Welcome to the forums. Some people do keep them outside but I only take mine out for a few hours at a time. You risk something happening to them when leaving them out 24/7. The cage can blow over, animals can tear into the cage and hurt or kill them, they can over heat and die, get or RI, a storm and damage the cage, someone could steal them or the latch could break, you forget to latch and they somehow escape. I've seen tons of bad thing happen on here.

 

[SilverWolf]

Yes, in your case, you're probably best just leaving your chameleon in doors, and only taking him or her out for a bit when the temperature is right for some natural sunlight. With supervision of course. They may be slow, but can blend in and escape your sights a lot quicker than you may think.

I have a jackson chameleon, but have my enclosure indoors since where I live the temperatures and weather aren't quite what he needs all the time. I know that some people do keep jackson chameleons out doors when they live in Hawaii, as there are wild species there, and the temperatures are just right. In your case, it's best just to have an indoor enclosure. But you know you're area, probably better than anyone else, so just do the research on the chameleon you are getting, looking at the temperatures and what it needs. Then start making an enclosure that suits the chameleon's needs. Even if for some reason, somehow, the outdoors where you're at suit the chameleon, chances are there will be moments where it's much better to have the lizard inside, so you should have a place for him or her to stay indoors when needed. For this reason, I strongly suggest just getting an indoor enclosure. But feel free to take them outside for natural sunlight, when the weather and temperature is right.

 

[leu]

Thanks guys...I may try to put it out doors if i ever get one.
Its quite safe outside i.e. no afraid of people stealing it, but just need to ensure that enclosure is properly secured. I gathered that it should not have problems living outdoors so as long it has proper shade during the day and enough water?

 

[SilverWolf]

Well if you can guarantee the chameleon won't escape, and be confident no one will steal it, the only thing that should be of concern now is the weather conditions. As for shade, just be sure to get a good plant that the chameleon can climb around on, drink water off of and hide under the leaves for shade. As long as your temperatures are just right during the day, never getting to hot (above 90 degrees) and it rains somewhat regularly, it should be fine. If the temperatures are right but no rain, just mist it yourself or get an automatic misting system.

Again, you know you're area, you know you're weather, I am sure. Nevertheless, I strongly recommend getting something so he or she can stay inside in case there is ever a reason he or she shouldn't be outside.

 

[oblgobl]

It does depend on the temperatures there. Also is the temperature consistent throughout the year. It might be too cold/hot in winter or summer and he'd need to be bought indoors or the temperature might not be right for him to live outdoors any time of the year. Another thing that has happened is that pests (rats in this particular case I heard about) broke into a chams cage and attacked it at night so the cham couldn't get away so it would need to be completely pest proof aswel.
In your case it does sound like being indoors is the best option. You could always have an outdoor enclouser aswel and move him to and fro when the weather is right. In most peoples cases the climate isn't right for their cham to live outside all year round. I also think it's best left for people with experience and know exactly what they're doing, no offence it's just such a big risk especially if you've never owned a chameleon.