So I'm planning on taking Amelia my chameleon camping this weekend. I live in Texas where it's hot but we'll be staying in a pop up camper, no AC but a couple fans and screened open windows. What temperature is too hot for her? Also if anyone has ever traveled with their Cham and has any tips for the road trip It'd be much appreciated!
Camping with my Chameleon
- Thread starter saratx889
- Start date
These are the optimum temperatures for veiled chameleons. Maybe someone else knows how much heat above that they can stand. If you have to use the fan for cooling it will drive down the humidity(maybe not in Texas) and you will have to mist more often. Avoid having the fan blow directly on the cage.
Temperature:
Baby/juvenile (<9 months): ambient 72-80F (22-26C), basking 85F (29C)
Adult males: ambient 75-80F (23-26C), basking 90-95F (32-35C)
Adult females: ambient 75-80F (23-26C), basking 85F (29C)
Temperature:
Baby/juvenile (<9 months): ambient 72-80F (22-26C), basking 85F (29C)
Adult males: ambient 75-80F (23-26C), basking 90-95F (32-35C)
Adult females: ambient 75-80F (23-26C), basking 85F (29C)
RedMountainHome
Established Member
Is there a reason you want to take her with you as opposed to leaving her at home and having a friend help with her care? If that's feasible, it seems like a safer bet.
Yes, I'm going to be gone for 5 days and I don't have anyone who I trust enough to take care of her, I would spend my whole vacation worrying about if she was getting the proper care. She's just a baby, 4mnths old so I may be a little over protective still!
Andee
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would honestly be worried about moving a baby that young around. And 5 days isn't that long. Honestly just hire a petsitter and require certain things and leave a detailed list of care. I do it for my family. Though at the moment I can't do it with my current cham because he needs liquid food that is syringe fed.
Thanks for the advice but I'm not comfortable with someone in house while I'm not there. I have a smaller screened cage that's all set up to put in my pop up camper so other than the drive there and back she'll be stable in a house that resembles the one she's in at home but smaller. For the drive I was thinking I'd put a small towel in a shoe box and set up a limb for her to hold close to the bottom and hope she sleeps for the 2 hrs I'll be on the road. So far that's the best I've got!
Angelwolf
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would be a little concerned with temps. I know the inside of pop up trailers can get extremely hot! 
Another thing to consider is the movement of the pop up, every time you go in and out. Your cham isn't used to that. Also, the last thing you want is to draw attention to it. The more nosy people poking their head in and around his cage, the more stress he will have. Stress can be fatal, but so can the heat.
Another thing to consider is the movement of the pop up, every time you go in and out. Your cham isn't used to that. Also, the last thing you want is to draw attention to it. The more nosy people poking their head in and around his cage, the more stress he will have. Stress can be fatal, but so can the heat.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hi there . Just wondering if you have traveled with your girl ? I know how you feel . In December we went to visit family for a few day . My little girl had a URI and was on meds . She also was ready to lay her first clutch . I was completely ready to take her . I was so scared for her , so afraid We would come home and she would be dead , I was going to cancel going that as well was not going to fly . I got so much fantastic advice here . I did end up leaving her home . I got her set up with a great schedule for misting . my neighbor was wonderful with giving her meds . I watch him a few time to make sure he was giving them correct even though I was beyound nervous . She did fantastic . Frances was happy not to be moved and she was stress free . I completely know how you feel . Best of luck with what ever you decide .
ChameleonTide
Member
I was just curious about what sort of activities you 2 would be doing together. Hiking, climbing, swimming, zip lines etc. ???
Remkon
Chameleon Enthusiast
I agree with @Goose502
When I go on holiday I ask someone to take care of watering, just drainage water and new water, the mister and lamps are on a timer.
I leave them with a cup of food and the rest of the week they can survive very well without.
Moving means stress, stress is bad. Not to mention any other risks it will bring moving your chameleon, like losing him in the forest.
You will not be doing your animal a favor.
When I go on holiday I ask someone to take care of watering, just drainage water and new water, the mister and lamps are on a timer.
I leave them with a cup of food and the rest of the week they can survive very well without.
Moving means stress, stress is bad. Not to mention any other risks it will bring moving your chameleon, like losing him in the forest.
You will not be doing your animal a favor.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
I would not do this. If you don't feel comfortable having someone in your house take her to a vet for boarding or educate a friend on her care. There may be a local herp club or society that might have a member who can take good care of her. Check with your vet or even a pet shop that you think is decent. I would be so concerned about the hot temps in the trailer especially if the nights don't cool off. She will not appreciate the changes every day and a cham that young can dehydrate or overheat so quickly. If the temps in the trailer do get too hot, what will you realistically be able to do about it while on the road?
CharlieCharmingo
Avid Member
Hi I completely understand where you're coming from. I'll be in the same boat come November with all of my babies. But I'm more inclined to not go than to go if I can't find someone to take care of the gang. My chameleon Tony can't stand car rides. He tries walking all over the car and never wants to sit still because he doesn't like the shaking. Or if he does sit still I can see him gripping his branches and keeping one eye glued to me as if to say "why am I being punished" and we live literally 5-8 minutes away from our vet. I can only imagine a two hour drive. Especially considering once the drive is over she/he can't go back to what's normal to them but will be somewhere completely new with lots of scary predators around. Plus what if you leave to go hiking or something and while you're away some thing gets into your camp site and wants your little baby Cham and you're not there. If I were to try this I would definitely wait till the Cham is a full adult because they seem a little less jumpy once they trust you. Still...and also, lets say the whole trip goes fine without a hitch but the moment you get home she/he completely breaks down? Because chameleons have a tendency to act fine until they can't anymore or until they get somewhere they feel comfortable enough. Idk. I would just really think about this. Also the misting. What if you mist it and the temps remain fine but while your out exploring it gets to hot and there's no way for her to cool herself down. I had a frog in middle school and this happened to him and I felt tremendously bad about it for a really long time. But atlas no one can decide for you so whatever you chose I hope it all works out.
I would be a little concerned with temps. I know the inside of pop up trailers can get extremely hot!
I would be a little concerned with temps. I know the inside of pop up trailers can get extremely hot!
i was thinking some fishing with a little beer drinking
Thank you, I decided not to take her. I don't want to spend my vacation worrying if something bad is going to happen to her.
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