Simulating seasonal changes

[Longhorn1234]

Is there anyone in here who tries to simulate seasonal changes or try to simulate their chameleon's natural habitat conditions?

I want to clarify that I'm not trying to replicate what you guys are doing. I'm interested in hearing personal experiences. Your chameleon, what you do, and how you do it, etc.

Thanks in advance

 

[JacksJill]

Look up threads on brumation.

 

[JacksJill]

This is a good one. https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/veiled-chameleons-and-hibernation-brumation.12984/

 

[Longhorn1234]

Thanks Jack!

 

[JacksJill]

Happy to help. What did you decide to do?

 

[Longhorn1234]

Right now I'm just trying to learn as much as I can.

I guess I was wondering why people kept chameleons on a 12 hour cycle year round. That thread you linked me to has great responses.
Maybe not many people actually do the 12 hour cycle year round and I just based that off the care sheets I've read

 

[JacksJill]

Unless you are trying to recreate a seasonal cycle to promote breeding it may not be necessary to change up your day length. It certain species a brumation period is used to get the females receptive for mating. Brumation also involves lowering the temperature and shortening the days. Species that live near the equator may not have as much of a season change summer to winter and their day length wouldn't change much either.

 

[Longhorn1234]

Thanks for the explanation. Obviously trying to replicate temperatures is much more difficult. But if we can replicate light cycles would you think that be fine? I'm thinking of a chameleon that goes through brumation in the winter. The days in the winter are shorter than in summer so would it be fine to shorten the days in their enclosures as well? My thinking is based on our guidelines of lights completely off at night. If the chameleon goes to sleep a few hours earlier then why not just turn off the lights as well haha

 

[JacksJill]

I get what you are saying just as long as you know that chameleons sleeping with eyes closed during daylight hours is not normal.

 

[Longhorn1234]

Agreed.

I started thinking about this after I read on the Epic Parsonii Enclosure thread by Extensionofgreen (I believe that's his username) how he was going to try a more realistic daily lightning cycle. I thought it was very interesting and wondered if other people have been doing this.

That's why I also wanted to clarify that I'm not trying to replicate anything. I was just curious about people's experience

 

[JacksJill]

It's nice to discuss something besides sick chameleons for a change.

 

[Longhorn1234]

Haha I agree. Thanks for the responses by the way!

 

[jamest0o0]

I was thinking of trying this. I've been looking up the seasonal changes in Madagascar, maybe do some small adjustments for my Panthers. My parson will be brumating(hopefully) come next year. Going to check more into it with graciliors(my 3rd species). It's not really necessary for the average keeper, but fun to experiment with. I hope to breed my animals at some point so figured it won't hurt.

 

[Longhorn1234]

Do you plan on trying to simulate just seasonal changes (day light duration) or daily light changes (dawn, dusk, etc.)?

 

[Longhorn1234]

I don't know if I explained that clearly? Haha

 

[jamest0o0]

I'll be lowering temps, lighting, feeding, etc. Many with Parsons do this

 

[Longhorn1234]

Sounds good. You should post about your experience in the future!

 

[jamest0o0]

Will do, I haven't posted much interesting lately lol. Big move, everything's a mess, and I've been on a lazy streak :/

 

[Longhorn1234]

Haha I feel like there hasn't been many interesting topics lately. Hopefully things start to pick up a bit. It's always great to read stuff in here.
Just moving apartments/houses or are you moving into another city/state?

 

[jamest0o0]

I agree lol, it's a lot of the same. I have no issues helping newbs, that's what people did for me so I can't complain. I would like to see what kind of out of the ordinary projects people are working on though.

I just moved from a townhouse to a regular house(but still renting). So much stuff, along with work, took forever. Place is a disaster, my chams are all sleeping on their own trees in separate rooms at night while staying outside during the day while I finish their enclosures. We've had sunny 90 degree days foe the past 2 weeks it's crazy.