Keeping Panthers Outside...

[KShook]

Hey Everyone,

I live in SoCal.."Ventura County" Area, I would like to put my chams outside so they can get Natural sunlight during the day...But it does get chilly at night...Anyone have any ideas on what I can use at night to keep them warm?! All Ideas and Opinions welcome!

Thanks Kayla

 

[Todnedo]

As long as it doesn't get below 40f they will be fine.

 

[beeze]

I'd be more concerned about them getting too hot in the daytime than too cold at night.

 

[cambech]

As long as it doesn't get below 40f they will be fine.

Really? That seems really cold. I though 60 to 65f was the breaking point?

 

[joshua n janet]

Really? That seems really cold. I though 60 to 65f was the breaking point?

how about for a veiled?

 

[sandrachameleon]

As long as it doesn't get below 40f they will be fine.

I personally would not let a panther get this cold, certainly not on a regular basis.

edit: This is what I personally feel is the preferred range (adults):
Veiled/Chamaeleo:
day basking spot 96.5F/36C
day cooler spot / ambient range 70-80F/21 -26C
night to a low of 60F/15.5C (can go lower on occassion as low as 50, so long as able to warm up well during the day)

Panther/Fucifer:
day basking spot 90F/32C
day cooler spot / ambient range 70-80F /21 -26C
night to a low of 65F/18C

previousl threads, similar topic:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/importance-temperature-21299/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/night-temps-slowly-dropping-advice-needed-34044/

 

[OldSkoolxReasons]

As long as they are healthy I keep them out when it is mid fifties and above at night. I had one male get a URI last fall when I left them outside and it was 50 degrees out at night. You can cover them with a tarp or blanket so wind does not get at them and put a low wattage ceramic heater on top to keep it a little warmer. Thats what I do in the fall. My chams are out into october here in michigan usually.


Justin

 

[Lancecham]

I have had mine out for the past two weeks full time. The last few nights have been at 52 to 54 at night and they are fine. From my experience that is about the lowest you want to go.
To add to this, if the day time highs were only around 64 or 65 with the lows of 52 to 54, I probably wouldn't keep them out overnight. They need to warm up during the day.

 

[Jerm]

I have kept F. pardalis outside seasonally here in Florida, weather permitting, for years now. I bring them in if the ambient temp is above 93 F or drops below 65 F. Higher or lower than that can cause unneeded stress on them. For gravid females who are already under a large amount of stress, I bring them in if it is above 90 F or below 70 F. Veileds, being from Yemen, may be able to tolerate higher temps.

 

[sandrachameleon]

...if the day time highs were only around 64 or 65 with the lows of 52 to 54, I probably wouldn't keep them out overnight. They need to warm up during the day.

very Good point.

 

[OldSkoolxReasons]

Well said lance. Yes the daytime highs ideally would be 69 or higher for me to keep them outside still. Because if it is 69 or 70 out they can still soak up heat and get their bodies a few degrees above that.


Justin

 

[KShook]

Hello All,

Thank you for your comments! There all appreciated! Where I live, during the day it's about 70-75 on a high day it's 80 lows I would say it's in the 50's at night...I was worried that would be to cold?? But if you say that there okay in the 40's it should be okay?! Maybe I could put some sort of heater by them or even a heat light at night?!

 

[Ocelot2000]

I've had my panther's out all year in southern california (West Hollywood) for quite a few years now and it's sometimes dropped below 40, for a day or so. They've all been fine. If I know it's going to drop low for a few days I cover the front of the cage with clear plastic, that way they stays warmer and I can monitor them. But in general I just leave them be and it's never bothered them from what I can see.

 

[Ocelot2000]

oops, I should also say that my cages were built by my contractor and the sides, since they are big cages next to each other are wood and they are against the back wall. The top has the lights and he built a sloping top made of wood and full on roofing material to protect the lights from the rains. So only the front is open to the california weather. Maybe that is why they can handle the lower temps.

 

[Ocelot357]

oops, I should also say that my cages were built by my contractor and the sides, since they are big cages next to each other are wood and they are against the back wall. The top has the lights and he built a sloping top made of wood and full on roofing material to protect the lights from the rains. So only the front is open to the california weather. Maybe that is why they can handle the lower temps.

NICE NAME....

Yeah, i been thinking about leaving my cham out 24/7, i stay in bell..(los angeles county).

 

[tkilgour]

I do not like letting my panthers deal with temps below 63 -65 degrees. F at night. Then I prefer them to have a nice day time warm up. I personally wouldn't expose a panther to temps in the 50's but maybe I am paranoid. Lance knows his stuff so it's probably safe.