Questions on humidity targets for species of chameleons

[nick barta]

We often hear that chameleon keepers are trying to raise their humidity in their chameleons enclosures, and it would seem to me that different chameleon native home enviroments would regulate what targets we should be aiming at. Montane species live in a cooler rainforest, and warrent high humidity, but Panthers and Veileds do not have that native home environment, and too much humidity for them can be a source of Upper Respiratory Infections.


I would like to invite discussion on what are the humidity targets we are trying to hit for various chameleons, and why. I think it is logical to consider Madagascan chameleons as group, possibly with some subgroups. Africa would probably be broken into Montane species and lowland species, and perhaps desert chameleons would be in their own category, and include Africa and the Saudi Peninsula.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[Trace]

Why break it into only four categories (Madagascar species, African montane and lowland species, and desert species)? Just because a chameleon isn’t typically from a warmer climate doesn’t mean it’s a montane and should be kept as such. There are so many different climactic conditions across Africa and Madagascar.

Personally I look at weather conditions for the area that my chameleons are endemic from and mimic that throughout the year. The last part of that sentence is important because it is not 80F with 75% humidity all year long. There are rainy seasons, there are dry seasons etc. These weather statistics are easily found on the internet and applied to a captive environment.

I have written a blog about what I do for the species I keep/have kept: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/trace/780-random-musings-seasonal-cycling.html

 

[nick barta]

Why break it into only four categories (Madagascar species, African montane and lowland species, and desert species)? Just because a chameleon isn’t typically from a warmer climate doesn’t mean it’s a montane and should be kept as such. There are so many different climactic conditions across Africa and Madagascar.

Personally I look at weather conditions for the area that my chameleons are endemic from and mimic that throughout the year. The last part of that sentence is important because it is not 80F with 75% humidity all year long. There are rainy seasons, there are dry seasons etc. These weather statistics are easily found on the internet and applied to a captive environment.

I have written a blog about what I do for the species I keep/have kept: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/trace/780-random-musings-seasonal-cycling.html

Trace,

Your blog hits the nail on the head. To automatically try to hit high humidity percents on all chameleons is an error. The need to know the yearly conditions is vital to be able to provide correct humidity.

CHEERS!

Nick