need answer asap

[ayiaskepi]

The first day went well for being his first day. He actually ate a few crickets (ignored the phoenix worm I offered), but really just hid in the foliage out of sight all day.

My question is this: His enclosure is on a screened-in porch. The temps will go down to the upper 50s tonight. Is this too cold for him (4 mos. old)? I would think yes. If so, what should I do. I cannot move his enclosure inside tonight and I do not have a nighttime bulb yet. Should I just turn on his regular bulb until tomorrow when I can get a nighttime one. The temps should be o.k. at night soon but I am concerned about now.

Please answer asap. It is 72 degrees now, but it will drop in the next two hours for sure.

 

[Dean Pulcini]

Thats a little to cold. You can put it in a deep container with a branch and move it inside for the night. Make sure it cant get out a deep plastic storage bin will work fine. Chameleons need darkness for good sleep no bright light you might be better off with a heat emitter for outdoor use at night when its that cold.

 

[ayiaskepi]

Thank you Dean,

The problem is that he is really amidst foliage and I probably cannot get to him in order to move him. What if I put on his basking lamp just for tonight. Would that have an ill effect on him? Tomorrow I will get a heat emitter (will one of those red bulbs be too bright). Any other advice?

 

[ayiaskepi]

O.K. now the weather channel site is saying a low of 62 degrees!! That seems o.k. to me. Should I not risk it?

 

[Dean Pulcini]

Your better off getting him inside the cold can have have bad effect on him. What kind of chameleon is it? If the best you can do is provide a light it must be warm enough where he is. The light will not be nearly as bad as the cold. Aim for a temperature in the 60's range.

 

[ayiaskepi]

Dean,

As mentioned above, the forecast for Myrtle Beach, SC on weather channel's website says 62. What do you think? He is a panther and is 4 months old. I could just as well throw on the basking light to be safe. I just cannot get to him.

 

[Dean Pulcini]

I would like to say 60's is good but at 4 months they should be kept away from extremes. Put the light on for him but don't make a habit of it, If it was an adult he would be fine but not a 4 month old.

 

[ayiaskepi]

Thanks a bunch. I am going to get a heat emitter tomorrow. I hope that will raise the temps enough. If not I will take him out early enough when I can actually see him.

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!