Cham out in the sun - in this FL heat?

[Olimpia]

I know that sun exposure is good for a little while each day, but what are the requirements for this? I'm in Florida, so by 9 am it's already just under 90*. So I'm wondering a few things:

1. Are these high temperatures ok?
2. Should he be directly in the sun, or is it more important that he's just outside? Because I only get sunlight in the morning (live in an apartment with a balcony), so he could be in the sun in the morning or just outside in the afternoon when it's cooler.
3. And how long is a good length of time in the sun?

Thanks!
BTW, he is a Jackson's. And the outside cage would be a 48 gal. mesh cage.

 

[Fearaffect]

Yea, way to hot for a Jackson's. Keep alot of foliage in the cage, some kind of dripping/misting system going....but those temps r to high really....I bring my montanes in at around 88deg. and I use a garden misting system to cool them down for the temps below that.

 

[Julirs]

Way too hot for Jax to be outside almost at all this time of year.

 

[Olimpia]

Alright, that's what I was thinking. I'll start to bring him out in the next few months when it cools off a little. Thanks!

 

[jojackson]

I know that sun exposure is good for a little while each day, but what are the requirements for this? I'm in Florida, so by 9 am it's already just under 90*. So I'm wondering a few things:

1. Are these high temperatures ok?

For short periods, yes

2. Should he be directly in the sun, or is it more important that he's just outside? Because I only get sunlight in the morning (live in an apartment with a balcony), so he could be in the sun in the morning or just outside in the afternoon when it's cooler.

Direct sun isnt nessesary for uv exposure/absorbtion, but light should be direct, not through glass etc.

3. And how long is a good length of time in the sun?

How long is a peice of string? As far as UV is concerned, the longer the better, but when you think about heat, its a matter of letting your lizard choose! ALWAYS provide the means for your lizard to both warm up and cool down! Shaded areas that it can retreat into are a must.
If ambient temperature (in the shade is above 80f) then stay with your lizard and observe carefully. Gaping (holding the mouth open) is the first sign of overheating, apart from the skin lightening considerably. When it does that, its too hot and attempting to cool down via evaporation from inside its mouth.
Be aware that some will stupidly remain there (or under basking lights) while gaping. I beleive jacksons tend to like somewhat cooler temps.

Thanks!
BTW, he is a Jackson's. And the outside cage would be a 48 gal. mesh cage.

........................................cheers

 

[Desurfer]

I also want to put my chameleon outside, I have a 5 month old Sambava panther. What are good outside temps for him and how long?

 

[Joy Leaf]

We've had our Mellers outside here in Jacksonville, but its usually only for about 10 mins at a time before she starts gaping and turning reallllly light in color. This week we finally got our high temps down to 88-89, so hopefully in a couple of weeks we can have her outside for longer periods of time with proper shade and misting.

 

[Julirs]

I certainly would not have a Mellers outside anymore than I would have a Jacksons outside this time of year. I do keep a few Veileds, a WC Panther, and the Oustalets out almost year round, but they are under the overhang of the house and certainly not in direct sun. Temps are still hitting mid 90's daily, where Jacksons and Mellers would be best in ambient temps of low 70's with a basking spot of 80ish.

 

[Pure]

Morning time here is still a bit too hot for more than a few minutes of exposure for montanes. You are in the the last part of the 2-3 months that it gets too hot in Florida. Soon we should start to have 70 degree mornings. Then you can bring them out until about 9-10 am. After that it's still too hot. Your looking at late October before it's cool enough to keep montanes outside all day. Even then proper mistings and shade are needed.

 

[Olimpia]

Yep, it seems I'll probably have to wait. Which is fine with me, because I don't want to sit on the balcony keeping an eye on him in this heat either lol.