Changing the photoperiod

[beardiedude]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if it is fine to flip flop the lights for my cham; instead of them going on during the day, they come on at night.

I work and am at school during the day and never really have the time to enjoy my specimen. Would it be best to do a gradual transition? Is there any chance that the natural warming of the house due to the sunlight outside could cause a confusion and stress?

Anyways, any and all help is appreciated.

 

[Pure]

I don't think it will work. They seem to have an uncanny ability to know when the sun is up or down even if kept from ever seeing the outside world.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Mine seem to know when the sun is going down, even if they cant see it. Its weird. I match the lights to their needs, not mine.

 

[Zen Reptiles]

Yep. Way back when before I had digital timers, my veileds would be asleep when I got home late to turn the lights off.

You could try it, but it'd be long and difficult. You'd have to move them to a completely dark room where no windows are, change the photoperiod from normal to your desired photoperiod by 10-15 minutes per day until you get there (so that could take some time), and then stick to it.

I think you'd have an easier time doing it if your cham is really young, and just keeping them on a certain schedule as they grow up.

If the care you provide is better when you're around as opposed to them being alone all day, then it might be worth a shot moving the photoperiod a few hours.

 

[dodolah]

I wouldn't.
messing with your chameleon's circadian rhythm might give an adverse effect on its health.

 

[hallenhe]

Mine definitely responds more to what is going on outside than to indoor lights, including his UV-B and the corner lamp he likes to sit on. In winter, he heads for "home" around 3 and is asleep by 5; in the summer, he starts settling down at 7 and may not go to sleep until 9. To echo the others, I wouldn't try it.

 

[Chamero]

I think it may be possible, but extremely difficult. You would have to have a totally controlled environment, i.e. no natural anything, temperature, humidty, light, uvb.

I do know that some plants are grown like this, using a room inside of a room method, so I know it is possible.

However, I do not know the health effects on a cham. I would like to see if it is possibly though, I just wont be doing it with mine.