Preparing for parsonii

[Extensionofgreen]

I'm an experienced chameleon keeper and have had parsons before, however, they were from Europe and were CBB.
These are WC, between hatchling and young subadult animals. They are showing sexual dimorphism, but not over 6" snout to vent. They are the Orange Eyed variants, if that has any weight as far as what temperatures are most appropriate.
The pair I am getting is currently experiencing temps of 85F and reportedly enjoying them. In my research and experience, parsonii stress at temps much over 80 and basking sites are generally kept at 80F, considering this is not a sun seeking species.
My question is that my fluorescent fixture provides an 80-81F area, for basking, while ambient temps are between 75F-78F, with lows of mid to high 60sF, at night. If they are enjoying warmer temps, with the seller, should I provide an 85F basking area and allow the chams to choose to avoid it, if it's too warm or go with the fail safe, 80F basking temps? I mist for 2 30min sessions and one 15min session, with a MistKing, each day, have a fan providing gentle, but noticeable air flow, an all screen cage, and plenty of cover. My cage can be seen in my album, titled with the same name as my handle. I am not utilizing the clamp lamp, seen to the left side, since it isn't needed and if I did choose to utilize it, to create the warmer basking area, it would be mounted above the cage, not placed on the side. This cage is a quarantine, until they are cleared by a vet and are seen to be well adjusted. They will have an 8'x3'x6' enclosure, as their permanent home.
Thanks

 

[savage13]

I will go what you know best. I also had a pair of white lip in the back in the late 90s. During summer I always kept my basking temperature close to 85 degrees and nighttime dropped to 72 with no ill effects they were always able to move away from the Basking light if they want to cool down. In Winter times I always kept the temperature on the Basking side close to 78 degrees and at night time dropped to 65.
Good luck with your new family members hope to see pictures soon.

 

[Garrett]

Orange eyes typically are from more lowland areas and will experience high temps in the summer months, up into the 90s.
I house mine in a greenhouse with uv transmitting panels and they all will actually bask everyday in the sun by choice. I've seen them flattened and dark colors absorbing the sun when the ambient is well into the 80s. Assuming you can get a good nighttime drop, I think providing a basking area that gets 85-90 is perfectly fine. When I house them indoors I keep them at room temps with a single t5 and a 60w incandescent spot.
They will also do ok at the lower temps, but I've found they grow faster and are more active when provided a warmer basking area. I believe the older published temperature recommendations are coming from montane yellow lip habitats, like ranomafana.
The folks at madcham put together some fantastic climate data charts for orange eye habitat, check it out here:
http://madcham.com/?p=2439

 

[Garrett]

Actually looking at that data i don't see any 90s temps, but I remember when looking at weather websites a few years ago
those locations can get that hot, although not the norm. Looks like around 80 is the average high for the summer, 85 basking sounds ideal.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

Thank you all for your replies! I'll get to work on that 85F spot! I figured that the chameleons would simply avoid an area that they deemed too hot, but with juveniles, I erred on asking you fine folks, due to the suspicion they may overheat more quickly and they may not remove themselves from danger as readily. 85F seemed reasonable to provide, without overdoing it, but lots of literature conflicts.

 

[Garrett]

As long as they can retreat to a cooler spot in the cage you'll do fine with an 85 spot. You're providing plenty of hydration with that schedule, I think you'll find your parsonii will spend quite a bit of time under that light
Now these are temps for spring and summer, once the fall and winter rolls around you'll want to reduce the temps and light cycle for the brumation period. The link I sent is a good guide for what temps to shoot for during winter, along with reducing the photo period.

 

[Extensionofgreen]

I'm lucky, in that my basement stays humid and has many options for tweaking the temps, during all seasons. I grow about 1,500 plants, in my basement ( no, I don't grow pot ) and that keeps the humidity way up, at between 70 and 80%. I run 2 AC units all year round, have ceiling fans, and small windows that can be opened to bring temps down, during the Winter. I'll have a few years, before I need to worry about cycling for breeding, but Winter temps, in my growing area already drop to around 70F, during the day.