Most information repitile cages,accessories ,lighting , etc. is designed for indoor kept Chameleons. I thought I would start a blog to share experiences keeping Chameleons outdoors in Southern Florida . I Have two setups outside 6' x 24x 24 cages with live plants with 2 panther male Occupants they seem really happy and they are extremely friendly . I got them this past August after researching for over six months if this was what I really wanted … In August I was worried they would cook to death I found that maintaining proper humidity when the outside mean humidity was way above what the experts say these creatures can tolerate was not going to be easy. I tried to automate the conditions as best I could and found by Multiple timed mistings (MistKing) and small silent fans to then dry up the excess water I was able to maintain 60% , There was so little info on outdoor habitats . Can Panther Chams live outside in southern florida (Miami) ? Not only live but thrive. Now the seasons have changed Forget about cooking them now they may freeze .
The first evening where a fast cold front came in and temperatures predicted between 52 and 59 degrees I had a panic attack November and I was not prepared For it I have several cafes backup pumps heat emitters and a herpstat4 controller big deal one little mistake and I could kill them .
After searching thru the forum for whats the lowest temp they will tolerate and 2 or 3 people hashing out there opinion I decided if the temperature may "MAY" drop below 68 degrees they must be moved inside. Ok now how do i light them after they been outside five months in natural sunlight ? I ended up for two days when the temperature was predicted to drop into the fifties I put them into smaller cages brought them inside to a spare bedroom shades pulled down temperature set to what the experts say night temp should be around 72 degrees and 3x a day I misted not them but the flora and saw both of them drink I also put a a few silkworms with a clump of mulberry food and few crickets in just in case NO LIGHT
My observation the panthers never really left the spots for 48 hours
on the 3rd day i went in to mist and both had eaten all the silkworms .
While the panthers were inside this was my chance to monitor the heat emitters I did not know what size to buy so i got 75 100 150 and 250 watt emitters The herpstat4 will record the high and low and the distance the emitter were from the animal is very difficult to prepare for the box says a 250 watt emitter should be around 16 20" from the animal in the finest print it says with room temperatures of 72 degrees. My outside temperature could possibly be 50 degrees well for two days I monitored the temp and humidity and said if the emitters can keep a mean temp DAYTime of 82 degrees and outside temp 74-78 I'm safe . If I tried to get any warmer the emitters to animal distance would be too close and probably worse damage than cold .
on the third day of the cold front I brought them back outside the evening temp was predicted to drop around 59-60 The emitters were in place herpstat4 was set to proportional meaning it did just go on and off it would reach full wattage over a 10 min period.
For daytime warmth I purchased 150 watt halogens I can say from observation I don't think the chams cared for the artificial light and preferred being in the shade where daytime temps at this were 76-78 degrees
Well that is my extreme temperature story summer heat and humidity to battle the occasional winter old front
I would very much Like to heart from other floridians that keep chams outside
Photos of my outside habitats https://www.dropbox.com/sc/o7px26uusscovx0/dS6N7xDbEv
The first evening where a fast cold front came in and temperatures predicted between 52 and 59 degrees I had a panic attack November and I was not prepared For it I have several cafes backup pumps heat emitters and a herpstat4 controller big deal one little mistake and I could kill them .
After searching thru the forum for whats the lowest temp they will tolerate and 2 or 3 people hashing out there opinion I decided if the temperature may "MAY" drop below 68 degrees they must be moved inside. Ok now how do i light them after they been outside five months in natural sunlight ? I ended up for two days when the temperature was predicted to drop into the fifties I put them into smaller cages brought them inside to a spare bedroom shades pulled down temperature set to what the experts say night temp should be around 72 degrees and 3x a day I misted not them but the flora and saw both of them drink I also put a a few silkworms with a clump of mulberry food and few crickets in just in case NO LIGHT
My observation the panthers never really left the spots for 48 hours
on the 3rd day i went in to mist and both had eaten all the silkworms .
While the panthers were inside this was my chance to monitor the heat emitters I did not know what size to buy so i got 75 100 150 and 250 watt emitters The herpstat4 will record the high and low and the distance the emitter were from the animal is very difficult to prepare for the box says a 250 watt emitter should be around 16 20" from the animal in the finest print it says with room temperatures of 72 degrees. My outside temperature could possibly be 50 degrees well for two days I monitored the temp and humidity and said if the emitters can keep a mean temp DAYTime of 82 degrees and outside temp 74-78 I'm safe . If I tried to get any warmer the emitters to animal distance would be too close and probably worse damage than cold .
on the third day of the cold front I brought them back outside the evening temp was predicted to drop around 59-60 The emitters were in place herpstat4 was set to proportional meaning it did just go on and off it would reach full wattage over a 10 min period.
For daytime warmth I purchased 150 watt halogens I can say from observation I don't think the chams cared for the artificial light and preferred being in the shade where daytime temps at this were 76-78 degrees
Well that is my extreme temperature story summer heat and humidity to battle the occasional winter old front
I would very much Like to heart from other floridians that keep chams outside
Photos of my outside habitats https://www.dropbox.com/sc/o7px26uusscovx0/dS6N7xDbEv
