night time heat

[ayiaskepi]

So I am finding myself in a situation where I may need to house my cham on the screened in porch. Though it is warm now in SC, the night time temps are still dipping below the mid 60s. The wind is also quite strong at times. If I provide a night time heating element (like what many people use for geckos), will this suffice to provide adequate temperature? Also, it seems common sense that in the wild, a cham would experience windy days and possibly nights. So is the wind factor/breeze factor a minimal one? I was thinking of possibly putting some "plexi glass" over two panels of screen if I need to.

What do you guys think?

 

[ayiaskepi]

I almost forgot....

The Cham will be young still. 4 months or so.

 

[Justin Carl]

Mid 60's is fine, and you wont need a night light.
In fact, he may even sleep better with it being a bit colder.
I wouldn't use any plexi glass either.
The wind is great for stimulating your plants to grow thicker and stronger branches.
My Veiled has been outside the past three days and nights, and the wind has been blowing like it's nobody's business.
So, I would consider it a win-win situation.

 

[ayiaskepi]

Wow. That is the first positive remark I have heard regarding this situation. This is o.k. with a 4 month old panther? Also, how cold is too cold for one?

 

[ayiaskepi]

Oh yeah... what about the uv light. If some sun hits him during the day do I still need the light? Also, how hot is too hot for a panther? I have read answers to all these questions and have my own experiences as well, but I like to get the advice of more experienced keepers.

 

[Justin Carl]

Wow. That is the first positive remark I have heard regarding this situation. This is o.k. with a 4 month old panther? Also, how cold is too cold for one?

I don't want to be held responsible if anything happens to your chameleon, but my honest opinion would be 60 degrees or lower.

Oh yeah... what about the uv light. If some sun hits him during the day do I still need the light? Also, how hot is too hot for a panther? I have read answers to all these questions and have my own experiences as well, but I like to get the advice of more experienced keepers.

If he is outside you wont need any UV light.
It only takes a couple hours of unfiltered light each day to meet basking requirements to stimulate the production of D3.
If you do keep him outside you need to monitor temperatures with a juvenile chameleon very carefully.
The sun is very powerful and basking temps can hit the 100 degree mark in direct sunlight.
Make sure you have an area for him to escape the sunlight.

 

[ayiaskepi]

Thanks. lol. Of course you would not be responsible.
If it will be below 60, I am guessing a night light for heat is fine. Right??
Understand... it will be on a screened in porch. So sun gets in, but there is a roof, etc. so the sun is limited. I am guessing if he gets at least two hours of natural sun, he is good. If not, should I use the bulb as well?

He will definitely have shade. Plenty of plants.