need help

[dirdydog]

hello i am looking to get my first chameleon. i am not sure what kind i am going to get yet. the problem that i am worried about is i live in a basement apartment and the temperature in the winter is 66 degrees during the day and at night it goes down to 64. does everyone think that i could keep the enclosure warm enough and how would i go about doing it.

thank you in advance

eric

 

[carol5208]

you could use a ceramic heater and basking bulbs to heat up the cage. If you get a veild or a panther those temps would be ok. A little low for the daytime but as long as you have a place in the cage for them to warm up you should be ok. You can always use the ceramic heater to raise the temps too.

 

[eleanorgt500]

Personally I would be freezing my butt off in those temperatures. Do you have control over your own apartment thermostat? Maybe try raising the temperature to 70 degrees. Or if you have a small room or bathroom you could house your chameleon in. Small rooms are pretty good at retaining heat in them. Add a small electric heater and put it on a timer. Of course their's always a risk of a fire. Best option probably would be higher wattage bulbs or a ceramic heat lamp.

 

[Solid Snake]

Hello!
Welcome to CF!

Your nite time temp is fine. Your daytime temp inside the cage would be acceptable for most chameleons IMO, in that the basking bulb that you would use during the day would sufficiently heat the enclosure.

A montane species might be best, as they like cooler temps anyhow.
(like a jacksons)

I think you could keep whatever you like though.

Are these temps maintained by a heating unit, or are they just the natural ambient temps?

Heaters can your humidity level, this also can be counter acted though.

 

[dirdydog]

thank you everyone

i do not have control of the tempature but this morning it was up at 68. also my humidity level is low at about 38%

now for my second question i was looking at getting a Exo Terra Flexarium 65 Gallon 30" X 16.5" X 30" or a Zoo Med ReptiBreeze Screen Cage - Extra Large 24"x24"x48"H or a exo terra glass terrarium 24” x 18” x 36”

what do you guys this would be best in my situation i would love to eventually have no cage at all.

 

[chameleonfan101]

I prefer the all screen as many of us here in the forums do. It allows ventilation from all four sides. If you get a veiled or a panther I highly recommend an all screen cage.

 

[chameleonfan101]

I forgot to say welcome to the chameleon forums!

 

[dirdydog]

i am thinking about getting a Jackson just because then i don't have to worry so much about the cold