Doesn't Enjoy Outdoors?

[carbyville]

Hi guys,

So I've been trying to get Claudia to enjoy being outside most of the summer. I take her out maybe once a week for a few minutes at a time. My goal was to gradually get her used to being out there. We have nice bushes for her to perch on and everything.

But... she hates it. Absolutely HATES being outside. The minute I walk her out there, she darkens up, flattens her body, and just generally looks terrible and terrified. So I end up bringing her back right back inside after a few minutes and basically not accomplishing any sort of progress.

Yesterday, I even went as far as to setting up a second cage for her outside. I thought maybe being so out in the open was something she'd never get used to and hoped the cage, with some familiar plants and decor, would be the solution to getting her some natural UVB from time to time. Tried to give it a go today and nope. She practically jumped into the cage when I introduced her to it, but she never calmed down.

Does anyone have any tips or am I just blessed with a cham that doesn't like being outside? We have a few more weeks of warm weather left, so I'd love to get her out there to enjoy them before it gets too cold to have her out there, but I think I may just be beating a dead horse with this one.

 

[Alexdoe]

Im not sure if this applies to chams. But my iguanas used to react the same in the sun. They would turn black and puff up. I did some research and found that they do this to absorb as much sunlight as they can(the dark colors absorb more heat and a big flat surface does the same). After an hour or so they would go back to normal color when they decided they had enough sun. But like i said i cant say its the same for chams. You may indeed just have one who doesnt like the outdoors. Maybe its to much stimulation and it stresses him/her out

 

[distortionz]

Just because she darkens up doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy it.. She is probably Just basking and thermoregulating.. They will flatten their body almost to seem as if they are tanning to take in the sun while basking. When my guys bask they always get darker colors it is normal.. It's their way of regulating their temperature.. Keep on getting your girl that natural sunlight while you still can!

 

[carbyville]

Ahhh, thank you both! I was so scared that I was stressing her out I didn't even stop to think that she may be trying to absorb the heat. It's pretty chilly today, but temps are going to climb back up for the weekend so I'll try again then in the cage outside. Thanks again!

 

[unixmiah]

Can Chameleons be grabbed by birds if they are outside?

 

[SocialNumb]

Yes so be careful.

 

[unixmiah]

that's what I'm afraid of. I might make a screen bio-dome-- i don't feel safe having my cham outside like that.

 

[SJRG95]

I just plop them in a small cage with part of it in the shade or with a small plant in it so they can hide- and i do my thang and they do theirs. And i give the cage a nice spray so they can drink and they love it!!!!

My female veiled likes to hide with just her head in the sun
and my male panther loves to hang upside down

 

[Carlton]

Hi guys,

So I've been trying to get Claudia to enjoy being outside most of the summer. I take her out maybe once a week for a few minutes at a time. My goal was to gradually get her used to being out there. We have nice bushes for her to perch on and everything.

But... she hates it. Absolutely HATES being outside. The minute I walk her out there, she darkens up, flattens her body, and just generally looks terrible and terrified. So I end up bringing her back right back inside after a few minutes and basically not accomplishing any sort of progress.

Yesterday, I even went as far as to setting up a second cage for her outside. I thought maybe being so out in the open was something she'd never get used to and hoped the cage, with some familiar plants and decor, would be the solution to getting her some natural UVB from time to time. Tried to give it a go today and nope. She practically jumped into the cage when I introduced her to it, but she never calmed down.

Does anyone have any tips or am I just blessed with a cham that doesn't like being outside? We have a few more weeks of warm weather left, so I'd love to get her out there to enjoy them before it gets too cold to have her out there, but I think I may just be beating a dead horse with this one.

Chams don't like changes in their surroundings and need good places to hide from view. Also, being out in full sun is a big stimulant so she's reacting to everything by being more active. Not all chams handle change the same way. Maybe there's something she can see from her outdoor cage that worries her...a lot of motion (cars, pets, etc), maybe it't too low to the ground, not enough cover, too windy, too hot, etc.

 

[Raul]

Outdoor phobia

My Cham does the same thing. He gets violent as well and when I bring him in he calms down after about an hour. I kept at it the whole summer. I also set up a large 24x24x48 cage outside as well. I leave him out there all day just for the sunlight. Even after 3 months he still acts the same when I handle him bringing him inside and taking him out. Recently he bit me and drew blood! Not sure if its even worth taking him out anymore. My kids won't handle him anymore either. Very disappointing.
I'd like to hear from other people who have experienced this as well. I can't believe we are the only ones out there who see this.

 

[SocialNumb]

They really shouldn't be handled much anyways. And when you do, they should want to be handled. Otherwise you're just stressing the poor thing out.