I live kn the Gulf coast and will most likely be evacuating tonight. Has anyone ever had an emergency like this while having their cham? Little guy is going to be stressed oit during the drive but i dont know if I should break his entire enclosure down to come with me or just him in a hospital type bin. Any thoughts and advice encouraged!
Hurricane Evacuation
- Thread starter Alagarde
- Start date
NashansCamos
Chameleon Enthusiast
pop up hampers? do you only have 1 cham?
Yes just one, hes a 6 month panther.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
There's another current thread on this topic:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/evacuation.177445/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/evacuation.177445/
RescueMom
Avid Member
I live on Florida's gulf coast and had to evacuate 3 years ago due to a hurricane. I hadn't planned it for the purpose of this situation, but I had kept my chams medium size reptibreeze after I had moved him into a larger enclosure.
I was able to take this, his dripper, hand mister, and a small dual light set up (yes I know, not satisfactory but in a pinch it's better than nothing ?) that I had gotten years before, and go.
You probably don't have time to run out and grab a smaller size set up today, but it's definitely something to kept on hand in the future for those of us who might need to pick up and go like this
.
And depending on where you're going, you might end up without electricity anyway ? but being down here in the heat and humidity, as soon as the storm is over, it's sunny outside and that's what they need. The bigger problem with no electricity will be getting the cooler ambient temperature.
Hope all goes well for you ?
I was able to take this, his dripper, hand mister, and a small dual light set up (yes I know, not satisfactory but in a pinch it's better than nothing ?) that I had gotten years before, and go.
You probably don't have time to run out and grab a smaller size set up today, but it's definitely something to kept on hand in the future for those of us who might need to pick up and go like this
.And depending on where you're going, you might end up without electricity anyway ? but being down here in the heat and humidity, as soon as the storm is over, it's sunny outside and that's what they need. The bigger problem with no electricity will be getting the cooler ambient temperature.
Hope all goes well for you ?
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
FWIW, I wouldn't worry about lighting for a short (typical hurricane) evac. Chams survive storms in the wild, and short-term temp & humidity fluctuations. ?
I would take the essentials including the lighting... I have been evacuated for hurricanes. One of which I was not allowed to return for a little over a week. Since you do not know how long until you are able to get back to your home I would prepare for worst case scenario.
RescueMom
Avid Member
I get that, but after that particular storm a lot of people were without electricity for weeks and couldn't return home.
These storms are so unpredictable. I guess I tend to air on the side of caution, and if I have lighting I can take with me, I'll take it ?
RescueMom
Avid Member
Exactly what I was saying!!
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
Even with some extra d3 if you can't get him outside. It would take a very long time for a healthy cham to take a turn for the worse without uvb(vit D basically) and a heat bulb.
I'd still bring it, but I'm just saying it so OP doesn't worry over a few days without lighting.
I'd still bring it, but I'm just saying it so OP doesn't worry over a few days without lighting.
Klyde O'Scope
Chameleon Enthusiast
That's fine. Whatever you're comfortable with. Got generator for when you come back?
I dunno maybe y'all have not been through a hurricane in the south... The one that I was gone for the longest period, while I was able to return to check on my house I could not stay there for almost 2 weeks because there was no power or water along with flooding. Not to mention I had multiple windows that were blown out. Then there is the humidity that follows with it. I would not be putting my cham outside in that type of heat and humidity personally.
Being overly prepared when dealing with a natural disaster IMO is the best option when you have animals you have to consider as well.
Being overly prepared when dealing with a natural disaster IMO is the best option when you have animals you have to consider as well.
jamest0o0
Chameleon Enthusiast
You're misreading what I'm saying. I'm not saying don't bring it, I'm on board with that. I'm just telling OP I wouldn't freak out if you're not able to get the lighting up and running. Even 2 weeks inside with no lighting is nothing.
And you know, about 30 minutes of quality sun is better than a day under UVB. I'd be perfectly fine with, and would recommend anyone do that even in Florida, hurricane or no. You could mist them if it is very hot and they won't die within an hour of being outside.
RescueMom
Avid Member
Noooooooo, I just hook up to the neighbors and "borrow" some off of them ? after all, it's only for an Itty bitty little chameleon ? (just kidding!!)
CasqueAbove
Chameleon Enthusiast
She is very right. We also don't like to think about it, but your home may not even be there. The short 3 to 4 days is the easy part. It is when things go for weeks, or months that we need to prepare for.
RescueMom
Avid Member
I get it! It's the absolute worst! We've had some close calls over the years (I've lived here for 20 ).
Even if you can go outside with your cham after a storm, being wo power, the humidity is to much for me ?. He can't even stand the heat out there as it is.
Just better to air on the side of caution, and yes, take the supplies if you have them. If not this time, put it on your to-get list for next time ☑
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Don’t forget to stock up on feeders and bottled water for cham. After a hurricane last year no one had any feeders available locally and you probably already know how the bottled water situation is when a hurricane is coming.
Yeah I have been through a few Category 2's and a Category 3. Problem is depending on how they make landfall makes a difference as well. If you get the right side making a direct hit the force and destruction is much worse then the left. Then if they stall out your screwed too. By far one of my least favorite natural disasters. Although I am not fond of tornadoes or wild fires either. At least with Hurricanes and wild fires you get some warning though.Trust me, I'm all for being prepared. I get it, those hurricanes are no joke. I was just trying to put OPs mind at ease incase things are out longer than expected
I think when it comes to these types of situations because I have had to deal with them all I am a bit more cautious because I have had easy 4 day evac and no damage to weeks of evac and extreme damage. I over prepare because you may not be able to buy what you need because most stores will not open immediately either.
So prepare for the worst case and hope for the best is really my opinion here.
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