Hanging out outside the cage

[Chippy0220]

Hello!
My question is about letting my name veiled Cham hang out outside of his cage. I have a fake ficus tree I bought him that he loves to hang out on. My concern with him being out of the cage too long is the humidity. I figure I can buy a floor lamp stand and attach a heat bulb and UVB to it. He likes to hang out outside too and I generally bring him out for about 20-30 mins every morning. (I live in Florida and the temps now are in the low-mid 80s in the morning with 70-80% humidity)
My boyfriend likes to takes him out while I'm at work and I will come home to find him in the living room on the tree. But inside it is not as humid obviously. Usually about 40% ish inside.

How long can my Cham hang out outside his cage if I have the proper lighting and heat on him inside?

Any help or tips is appreciated thanks!!

PS he is OBSESSED with wanting to come out. Pushes on front door with his "hands" and always tries to climb out whenever I get close.

 

[carol5208]

I live in Florida and keep my chameleons outside most of the time. I bring them in when it gets super hot during the day and when it gets very cold at night in the winter. The humidity is not a problem at all. Don't even worry about it. There are many members on here who live in Florida and house their chameleons outdoors 24/7. He can basically hang outside all you want. When I have mine inside, I never even worry about the humidity either. It never gets super low here in Florida. If you are keeping him on a patio, then you should have a uvb light. No basking light is needed if it is really hot out.

 

[Chippy0220]

I have heard of people keeping them outside! Define "too hot" are we talking when florida starts to hit upper 90 weather...? I have thought of keeping him outside as he seems to enjoy it. I think I will start saving up some extra money to get him a bigger enclosure and keep him outside more. In the mean time I'll bring him outside as often as I can

 

[carol5208]

Well I do know people that keep them outside when I consider it too hot. But that is their choice and as far as I know none of them are dying from the heat. For me,I watch for their color turning very light and opening their mouths. If they are doing this, then they are overheating and trying to cool down so I bring them in. During the hot, hot summer months, if I am home I may put them outside awhile for sun in early morning or late evening. If I am not home, then I do not chance it because I am not able to observe their behavior. If they have shade, water and can be misted to cool off, that would be ideal when it gets into the hot florida summer. You really just have to use common sense. If you are hot while outside, then so are they and they must have an area of shade to cool off. Never leave a cage directly in the sun, unless it is heavily planted with shade or you cover atleast 1/2 of it with a towel or something. The heat is what you need to worry about more than the humidity in Florida. On another note, we do have wild Veild populations that are surviving in the Everglades, all year round. They are adapting to the heat, but keep in mind they are not caged and know where to go to cool off.

 

[Chippy0220]

Wow! I didn't know about the wild chams!! That's pretty cool! Well I just got my little man 2 weeks ago and he just hangs on the front door of the cage when we are home and anywhere near him. I feel so bad putting him back in everytime because he tries to outrun it and climb up me or whatever he can grab. I am still learning about him. I have done quite a lot of research already, there are just a few things that are still a mystery to me about him haha
Like one thing he does a lot is when I take him out he stands up and reaches up in the air like there is something there? There won't even be anything close to him and he stands up and reaches up in the air. It's kind of funny actually.
Hes a sweet boy, just need to get him eating and I'll feel a lot better.