How much time out in the sun?

[Dotchoy]

How long should chams be left out for sunlight and how many days a week? Thanks

 

[panthercham]

Do you mean outside in natural sunlight?

 

[Dotchoy]

Do you mean outside in natural sunlight?

Yes. I'm in San Diego.

 

[panthercham]

I am in that part of the world too

I think it depends on how much time you have got and the conditions of the environment. I try and treat the sun and outdoor temps exactly like their temps in the cage. They have a place to get shade if they get hot and to cool off and many places to just roam and hang around in the sun....just like their cage. If they are out for extended periods then they get plenty of mistings for hydration and to keep cool. As soon as I start to get hot and feel the sun then into the shade we both go or its back inside. Its important to watch them as sometimes they don’t know that the sun is too hot until its too late...I also usually take 1 of their temp gauges out with me as well just so I know what the temp is. Sometimes its hotter than it feels.

I have seen burns on chams on this forum from getting too close to their lights on their cage and I feel the sun should be treated the same way. If you burn they can as well. If the temp is over 85F (their basking temp) then they don’t go out. They can also become stressed from the heat from being outside too long so if the temp is around 80 – 90F keep an eye on them and don’t let him get too hot.

Thats how I treat outside adventures but whatever happens he will love an adventure outside….mine always have a hissy fit when its time to come back inside

 

[Dotchoy]

Awesome. Thanks

 

[dodolah]

as long as the weather permit and as long as you can spend monitoring him.
give them some shade to escape from heat. Don't forget to mist the enclosure as well.
California tends to get dry these time a year.

 

[summoner12]

Morning sun is better.... say from 8ish to 10. or 11... I used to give my guys a couple of hours in the afternoon around 3pm... they LOVED it. I could put Fred outside in my big ficus and he would just sit there. If a hawk or crow was around he would take cover... very in tune with that. One time a smaller bird landed right next to him on the branch he was on.... my GF was standing inside watching.. she said he went STRAIGHT into 'i'm a leaf' dance mode! just started swaying with the branch LOL!

 

[hallenhe]

Mine likes the sun for up to an hour, hour and a half, then gets a little active and may wander into the shade. It's important that they have the option of getting into the shade; different chams may be different in how much sun they want at a time.

 

[green27949]

ditto thats what i think

 

[Cainschams]

I live in Maryland so Im not so fortunate with the weather. In the summer time all of my adults spend it outside. Usually for about 2 months maybe more they spend the night out there too. They are all in cages. If its going to rain at night I bring them in or if its going to be way to hot I bring them in. As long as it doesnt get under 65 or over 95 I keep them out there. They all get really long shower sesions via water hose a couple times a day. It is a little cool but they dont seem to care when it is hot out. If its in the 90s or higher they get extra showers. I have the luxury of living beside work and the secretary comes over and waters them around 12 and if Im going to be working late she comes over around 3 also. My chams seem much happier when they can spend the days outside. You can see it in the color and activity. They also get extra plants in the enclosures for extra shade spots and also near a tree where the sun goes behind for a little while every day.