Outdoor Humidity

[mika]

Hi, I have a few questions I was hoping someone can help me out.

I have a Zoo Med Analog Humidity Gauge and I placed it at the back middle part wall of the enclosure.

When I place the enclosure near the window so my veiled can get some sun & fresh air with the glass window open of course the humidity gauge drops to almost 20%.

So I mist and mist and mist but after say 30 mins it does it again and the plants are still wet.

The humidity only drops this low when he's near the window.

So my question is, when you guys sun your chams, do you also put a humidifier, basking light on the cage?

I read somewhere in the forums, humidity should be 40-70%?

 

[mika]

I am also in the process of getting a digital one. Maybe the one I have is inaccurate...? If it is inaccurate, would it be that off?

 

[Justin Carl]

veileds dont require a high humidity like other species.
i wouldnt worry to much if you open a widow for a day and the humidity drops.
just remember UVB can penetrate glass or plastic.

 

[Smitty]

If you are keeping up the misting schedule then I wouldn't worry if your humidity drops to 20% between mistings. The big thing is to be sure the cham is getting enough water to drink which it sounds like that is possible. I would assume that in CA the humidity is naturally lower than the 50-70% recommended. Again, as long as you are misting regularly (2-4 times/day with 5 min or so each time) then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If you are worried about it you can drape the cage with some plastic on the sides not next to the window. That can help a bit.

Be sure not to mist so much that your plants don't have a chance to dry out. I made this mistake and the plants ended up with root rot and started the most amazing smell.

 

[mika]

veileds dont require a high humidity like other species.
i wouldnt worry to much if you open a widow for a day and the humidity drops.
just remember UVB can penetrate glass or plastic.

I usually put him near the window everyday when there is sun and it's warm enough. Usually from 1 to 4pm.

Then I put his enclosure back to his regular spot where the humidity is usually 50-60%.

 

[mika]

If you are keeping up the misting schedule then I wouldn't worry if your humidity drops to 20% between mistings. The big thing is to be sure the cham is getting enough water to drink which it sounds like that is possible. I would assume that in CA the humidity is naturally lower than the 50-70% recommended. Again, as long as you are misting regularly (2-4 times/day with 5 min or so each time) then I wouldn't worry too much about it.

If you are worried about it you can drape the cage with some plastic on the sides not next to the window. That can help a bit.

Be sure not to mist so much that your plants don't have a chance to dry out. I made this mistake and the plants ended up with root rot and started the most amazing smell.

Ok, just wanted to make sure the 20% drop everyday from 1-4pm while I'm sunning him won't cause any health problems because if I could help it, I'd rather not attach a humidifier to his enclosure while I'm sunning him.

I've been misting more often than 2-4 times a day because of the humidity. My plants are wet.

 

[Justin Carl]

that is fine!

 

[mika]

Kewl!!! Thanks much! You guys are so helpful

 

[Jeweledchameleons]

just remember UVB can penetrate glass or plastic.

Incorrect.
UV is completely blocked by glass and likely plastic as well
that is why the UV tubes are made out of quartz crystal and not glass.

The animals are not going to wilt and die from a few hours of dryer air.
In fact getting outside is usually a very good thing
just so long as there's not shock in temps or such... panthers and veilds do very well indeed.

I live in a semi arid zone... at times the humidity drops very low
only the hatchlings have any required any serious attention.
The adults usually enjoy sunning themselves and drinking off the drip bottles.
ymmv good luck!

 

[dodolah]

a drop in humidity is fine every once in a while.
If i sun my chameleon outside, i usually wet my sunning cage to keep it humid a bit.
(or turn on my humidifier when i open my window)..
like you said it can still drop to 30%... i think it should be fine..
as long as it does not stay that way for long term.

 

[davider]

Incorrect.
UV is completely blocked by glass and likely plastic as well
that is why the UV tubes are made out of quartz crystal and not glass.

Dont know about the crystal, but UV is bocked by plastic...

 

[Justin Carl]

sorry i didnt catch what i said. UVB is blocked. sorry it is to late to edit that comment now.
i am so sorry, i didnt mean to give out false information.
yea, what is funny is i use to cut glass and took an hour long class on how UV light cant penetrate glass. haha

 

[Justin Carl]

veileds dont require a high humidity like other species.
i wouldnt worry to much if you open a widow for a day and the humidity drops.
just remember UVB can penetrate glass or plastic.

CANT penetrate glass or plastic!!!
sorry