Sun

[Elizadolots]

pssh, I think your comments fall under the realm of "geography"...if you live in an area where wildlife is an issue, then that's a concern...obviously, as I offered up fear of passers by, that speaks to my location (though...we have had rats in the back yard). where I am, I wouldn't even consider the back yard that safe. We're right across the street from a middle school and below the level of a walkway, so kids could easily see into our yard.

Do you really think a rat/cat/raccoon could get through that mesh? It's pretty tough seeming. I don't know that any tests have been done on that.

 

[dodolah]

Do you really think a rat/cat/raccoon could get through that mesh? It's pretty tough seeming. I don't know that any tests have been done on that.

Absolutely. Raccoon has pretty tough teeth. If i am not mistaken, in the past, there is one member here whose chameleon's tail got severely injured from being attacked by raccoon during night time. The cage is pretty much broken into.

 

[SpinyFranky]

Absolutely. Raccoon has pretty tough teeth. If i am not mistaken, in the past, there is one member here whose chameleon's tail got severely injured from being attacked by raccoon during night time. The cage is pretty much broken into.

The man we purchase our parrots from said that one night he heard a bird screaming to he went outside.

He found a raccoon on the outside of a bird cage with its arms wrapped around the parrot inside. He was afraid to approach, but he got a baseball bat and smacked the shit out of the raccoon - I guess he tried to kill it, but it just took off running. The bird has puncture wounds and big tufts of feathers missing.

The next night he filled his trashcan with a buffet of the "poison meatballs".... goodbye raccoon.

Personally one of my parrots was attacked by a Rat during the night, but the parrot won and we found what was determined to be rat blood all over the cage and a trail leading to the side of the house. We think our bird got him in the neck and pinched the jugular.

Never leave your animals unchecked if you are in an area that is unsafe both people and wildlife wise. That mesh is easily broken by a Raptor bird or Raccoon, rats can gnaw through it, children could knock the whole thing over.

I would suggest purchasing a whole big set of thick wire fencing ( the ones that come in rolls and are a little less than 1/4 inch thick. Construct a wood frame using waterproofed wood and stainless steel joiners ( to prevent rust and wood decay from misting/rain). Wrap and use a staple gun to join the wire to the frame. Of course don't forget to create a door, so you and the cham can get in/out. I would even suggest wiring the floor, animals can dig.

furnish the cage so that a majority of the leaves/vines are in the center of the cage, and the cham has no reasons to climb the screen itself, or to hang around there. Use a suitable misting system with multiple nozzles. Find a place in your back yard where you can place the new cage, with about half exposed to sun, and half to shade. I would even suggest more to shade than to sun.

If done properly and safely, im sure your chameleons could have a very nice nice life living outside - but measures must be taken for safety and health.

S.F

 

[pssh]

To add to spiny franky's post, with the cage that has hardware cloth on the outside, use another layer of mesh on the inside so that the chameleon isn't on the outermost layer of screen (there should be a gap since it would be wood.)

Rats can chew through piping, cats, large birds, and racoons couldeasily tear a repatriums mesh. While it is possible to use a repatarium, seriously think about what can geting your yard.

 

[DGray]

Cats

I sun my animals at times outside, and their Reptariums go inside a big metal birdcage for safety. Still, the local cats are curious and try to get to them. It stresses the chams out. I'm about to get a slingshot....

 

[justjumpit621]

If you take a closer look at the guy, he mentionned in a previous post that he bought a 65 reptarium package from LLL.

Now, unless he plans on moving it in and out all day, he will need a second enclosure. Also, if he leaves it outside, he will need a misting system, which he didn't mention owning one.

I think it is important to pay attention to who post the question, in order to make sure that he has the proper setup for his chameleon's health. Comparing Summoner to him may not be a good idea!

I was not comparing anyone to anyone, I was saying that I know he keeps them outside. That was the question, can you keep them outside.

 

[Elizadolots]

It seems like if there's the slightest chance of good size (bigger than a mouse) wild life then it would be a big mistake to leave the cage out at night. I like the idea of essentially building a fortress for it. If someone really needed to keep the chameleon outside, that would certainly help.

 

[dodolah]

The idea of putting chameleons outside is definitely probable. Many people here have done it.
The benefit of having your chameleon soaking the sunlight is excellent.
They will be generally healthier and happier.

However, just make sure that you take all possible problems into the equation.
Wild animals like raccoons, dingo (in certain area), cats, crows, and so on often take a chance to break into the cage to find a meal.
Insects can be problematic as well. Spiders, ants, and so on..
and, worst of all, humans.. There has been time to time couple of members here posting that their chameleons are stolen from their backyard.

remember also that sometimes weather can fluctuate to the extremes. So, proceed with caution. And, bring your chameleon indoor whenever this happened.


The choice is yours.. It just that if you are going to do it, make sure you understand the problem that might rise and address it properly.