A fan?

[frankpayne32]

don´t know about that, in neccas book it say that hot air draft is even worse, chameleons do experience draft in nature but they try to avoid it and move away from it

I'm not advocating blowing hot 30 C air into a 20 C terrarium. But moving the air around is not a bad thing that is going to cause respiratory issues.

I disagree that chameleons will move away from wind movement.

 

[frankpayne32]

I think it probably come from the fan quickly changing the temperature in the cage or blowing fungal spores around. It's probably obvious why quick changes in temp would be bad. But there also could be the risk of blowing fungal spores around from decaying stuff on the bottom of the cage. But as long as you clean you cage regularly and don't have a trash dump at the bottom I don't see a problem with fans. And I've been running them for a while now with no issues.

I really don't think that blowing around fungal spores is something that needs to be worried about in a well maintained enclosure.

 

[Brassaxe]

I disagree that chameleons will move away from wind movement.

I have occasionally seen my Carpet sit directly under the fan.

I really don't think that blowing around fungal spores is something that needs to be worried about in a well maintained enclosure.

That's the only thing I can think of that someone would associate between a fan and respiratory issues. Frankly it makes no sense to me for people to say fans will cause respiratory issues. Its probably one of those myths that got started and nobody has any evidence to prove or disprove scientifically. My Lizards have always been healthier with fans in their cages.. Not big fans of high speed fans.. But fans non the less.

 

[Brassaxe]

but it is an aquarium, I could see the need of some help with circulation, no offence of course. but other terrariums with front and full top screen ventilation or mesh do have enough with airflow

Aquariums definitely need circulation or you're just asking for issues. I might have talked in another thread about when and why you would need a fan. Mesh/screen cages are at the bottom of the list. It wouldn't hurt to use one, but you would have to adjust your misting schedule and pay close attention to the humidity.

 

[frankpayne32]

I have occasionally seen my Carpet sit directly under the fan.



That's the only thing I can think of that someone would associate between a fan and respiratory issues. Frankly it makes no sense to me for people to say fans will cause respiratory issues. Its probably one of those myths that got started and nobody has any evidence to prove or disprove scientifically. My Lizards have always been healthier with fans in their cages.. Not big fans of high speed fans.. But fans non the less.

Aquariums definitely need circulation or you're just asking for issues. I might have talked in another thread about when and why you would need a fan. Mesh/screen cages are at the bottom of the list. It wouldn't hurt to use one, but you would have to adjust your misting schedule and pay close attention to the humidity.

I think your reasoning is spot on.

 

[Carlton]

I'm not advocating blowing hot 30 C air into a 20 C terrarium. But moving the air around is not a bad thing that is going to cause respiratory issues.

I disagree that chameleons will move away from wind movement.

Agreed...a small fan moving air around near a cage isn't going to cause respiratory problems. This, as in so many other cham husbandry "law" questions the answer really should be stated "it depends". The size, power, and placement of a fan makes all the difference between a dry cold gale, a dry hot wind, and some gentle air exchange.

Sure, chams are exposed to wind in the wild. If they never got exposed to breezes, why would it be a benefit to develop their swaying leaf posture defense? Sure, rainforests or understory canopy habitats can be stifling and stuffy much of the time, but not always. Consider monsoon storms or daily thermals. Again part of the problem could be that in the wild a cham can find a more sheltered spot to wait out bad weather while a captive cham in a limited cage can only do so much.