Time Change

[LML]

Today began Daylight Savings Time. How do you handle your chameleon's lighting schedule? Do you leave it the same? Change it with the clock? Maybe make a gradual change? Adjust it to match the sunrise/sunset regardless of time?

I know this doesn't apply if you live in Arizona or Hawaii, or anywhere else that doesn't observe DST.

 

[camimom]

I change it with the light schedule outside.
lights come on at sunrise and go off at sunset.

 

[Lovereps]

I didn't change a thing.
My chams can't read clocks, so it is either awake time or sleep time as far as they are concerned

I may lengthen their day by an hour or two once the summer approaches and the natural light entering the room wakes them up earlier anyway.

 

[dom1959]

i change with sunrise and sunset, so the ambient light.
20x9 foot windows in a 700 sq ft condo lets in a lotta light.

on the neg side i work in the financial industry and since az doesn't change, i get up at 4 in the morning starting tomorrow ugh!


no frowns david

 

[Video Master]

So what do you do for the days where there are more than 12 hours of sun? I thought you were supposed to have 12 hours on and 12 hours off?

This is where I get confused on the whole light thing.

 

[Rush2112]

Today began Daylight Savings Time. How do you handle your chameleon's lighting schedule? Do you leave it the same? Change it with the clock? Maybe make a gradual change? Adjust it to match the sunrise/sunset regardless of time?

I know this doesn't apply if you live in Arizona or Hawaii, or anywhere else that doesn't observe DST.

Changed the clock on the timer to match time but seriously thinking of switching from 6am-6pm light schedule to 7am-7pm because of the later sunrise and sunset.

 

[JoseBean]

I adjust my timers weekly based on sunrise and sunset. I mean, anything else would be negligent. We are supposed to mimic the conditions in the natural environment right?

 

[Lovereps]

So what do you do for the days where there are more than 12 hours of sun? I thought you were supposed to have 12 hours on and 12 hours off?

This is where I get confused on the whole light thing.

The 12 hours of darkness is a good guideline and can be used year-round.
It comes close to what African chameleons would have in the wild.

Equally as important, I suspect, is to ensure that lighting is consistent, rather than doing things like lights on at 6am today but on at 9am tomorrow--lights off at 4pm today then off at 7pm tomorrow, etc..
That would never happen in nature.

Chams that spend all their time outdoors do get less sleep in the summer than in the winter--but the change is gradual--by a minute or two each day.
Giving your indoor chams 12 hours of darkness will ensure that they get enough rest to stay healthy and is closest to their natural schedule.
In Madascar, where many chams are found, the shortest day of the year is 11 hours of light, the longest day is just over 13 hours of light---so a 12 on 12 off schedule is pretty close to this.

In the US and in Europe, our day lengths vary much more.
As the days grow longer, you may find that your chams get up earlier, despite your lighting coming on later, so some folks adjust the schedule to mimic the local day length more.
Some people even have staggered lighting schedules in which some lights come on and turn off before others to simulate dawn and twilight lighting.

Consistent, long enough rest periods will help ensure your cham gets enough rest to support good health.