Out of it's home

[bubbathechameleon]

I was just wondering how long my veiled chameleon can be out of it's tank. Some times Bubba likes to just sit on my hand and occasionally take a nap. Is it bad for him to be out so long? Some times I always bring him outside for some sun.

 

[carol5208]

Can you post a pic of your set up? You say tank...what are you keeping him in? Do you have a uvb light? Also, chameleons do not take naps or sleep during the day. They only sleep at night, so if he is sleeping during the day or closing his eyes there more than likely is a problem.

 

[Devokid]

It is not bad for him to be out. Outside is usually the best place for them provided they have enough water. It sounds like your set up needs attention. Please post some pics or ensure that your set-up is correct.

 

[MorganC25]

New to this

I new to owning a chameleon, but I have a Ambanja Panther, how often should a chameleon be out its enclosure each day? They can get really stressed sometimes from to much handling can't they?

 

[MsCham]

It SHOULDN'T be out of its enclosure each day. Too much stress = shorter lifespan for your buddy. Handle only when necessary - they will learn to tolerate it, but that doesn't mean they enjoy it~ Search handling chameleons on the search button at the top of the forum and you'll get a more detailed response!

 

[absolutbill]

It SHOULDN'T be out of its enclosure each day. Too much stress = shorter lifespan for your buddy. Handle only when necessary - they will learn to tolerate it, but that doesn't mean they enjoy it~ Search handling chameleons on the search button at the top of the forum and you'll get a more detailed response!

This is not necessarily true, it depends on the individual cham. There are members on here who are extremely successful in their chameleon husbandry who handle their chams everyday, taking them outside, etc. There are other members who are successful with chams that are rarely to never handled - all animals are different and it's in the learning and observing of our animals that we figure out what stresses them out and what they enjoy.

I have a male panther who would like nothing more than for me to stay home and hold him all day, everyday. My male veiled used to want nothing to do with me, but now that he's feeling poorly he's more clingy. Again, it just all depends. Go slowly and watch carefully. I would also add that if you are taking him out of his enclosure make sure you have him outside where he can benefit from UVBs (not direct sun and never unattended), and not just sitting in a living room where he's losing the UVBs in his cage and not gaining any. Just my 2 cents.

 

[carol5208]

Michelle I agree. I don't think there is one bit of concrete proof that handling causes a shorter lifespan. That is just an opinion and not a fact, and there are plenty of keepers who handle their chameleons and they live long lives. I have mine outside of their cages everyday to enjoy some freerange time.

 

[jannb]

It SHOULDN'T be out of its enclosure each day. Too much stress = shorter lifespan for your buddy. Handle only when necessary - they will learn to tolerate it, but that doesn't mean they enjoy it~ Search handling chameleons on the search button at the top of the forum and you'll get a more detailed response!

I totally agree with Michelle and Carol. I have been keeping along with my daughter for 11 years and we have both handled our chams, to take them outside, move them from one free range to another and we've had one boy make it to 8 years old, one to seven, one to six and several to just under six.

 

[MorganC25]

Frostbite

My Cham Frostbite practically flies out of his enclosure everyday! And doesn't seem to be to stressed or affected even after an hour of handling, but I thank all of you for the tips and I will keep handling time under consideration