Panther Chameleon, Natural Sunlight

[mybeardisorganik]

Hello all,

I have a five month old male ambanja panther. Have just recently started handling him more, he tolerates it but does not enjoy it just yet!

I live in Florida and want to take advantage of the sunlight.... just wondering what a decent amount of time in the sun per week or day in order for it to be advantageous to his health.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Chameleon Nation]

I keep most of our colony, except babies, outside from May until October. Their colors become brighter, they are more active and being that they are getting natual sunlight there is no where near as much supplementing to be done. It gives their kidneys a break for a few months.

 

[Psychobunny]

Hello all,

I have a five month old male ambanja panther. Have just recently started handling him more, he tolerates it but does not enjoy it just yet!

I live in Florida and want to take advantage of the sunlight.... just wondering what a decent amount of time in the sun per week or day in order for it to be advantageous to his health.

Thanks in advance!

If U live in south FL, you should be able to leave them out almost all year!!
Just provide them with a outdoor cage with plenty of plants and vines (shady places).

 

[mybeardisorganik]

I do live in south florida. But just wondering on the temperature. I would only have one choice on placing him outside.. which would be a screen/sliding glass porch/lanai area.

Temperatures in this area in the summer would range from 70-100 degrees fahrenheit.

If these temperatures are in fact manageable and beneficial, would the use of the basking and uvb lights be discontinued?

Appreciate the feedback!

 

[mybeardisorganik]

I guess I should mention that due to the porch/lanai area being under a roof.. he would not be receiving direct sunlight all day.. only in the evening in fact, as the house faces west.

 

[mybeardisorganik]

Any input on this?

 

[Psychobunny]

That sounds fine.

No, if he is outside you do not need a UVB or a basking light.

Just make sure he can find shelter from rain and heat of the direct sun.

 

[carol5208]

Any input on this?

Honestly your patio is going to be too hot with the summer months coming up. I have seen mine gape out there in the summer and turn very bright like they are overheating.I live in Florida also, and it gets ridiculous on my patio. My screen room has an aluminum roof and it tends to get hot in there, more so than keeping a cage outdoors which would get more of a breeze. Also, the evening is not the best time for UVB rays. And the lanai is going to cut some out and then diminish the rays again if you are keeping him in a screen cage. So you should still consider artificial UVB if that is the only uvb your chameleon will be getting. You can put them out there for awhile but there is really no escape from the heat other than to mist them down. If you are not going to be home all day to monitor the situation I would not do it. There are a few people on here that keep them outdoors yearround except during some of the winter days that dip into the 40's and 30's. I know for a fact it will be cooler outside in your yard(As long as you provide shade) than outside on your patio. Atleast for the type of patio I have. I would never leave my chameleons out all day if I were not home in the summer. Better safe than sorry.

 

[mybeardisorganik]

Honestly your patio is going to be too hot with the summer months coming up. I have seen mine gape out there in the summer and turn very bright like they are overheating.I live in Florida also, and it gets ridiculous on my patio. My screen room has an aluminum roof and it tends to get hot in there, more so than keeping a cage outdoors which would get more of a breeze. Also, the evening is not the best time for UVB rays. And the lanai is going to cut some out and then diminish the rays again if you are keeping him in a screen cage. So you should still consider artificial UVB if that is the only uvb your chameleon will be getting. You can put them out there for awhile but there is really no escape from the heat other than to mist them down. If you are not going to be home all day to monitor the situation I would not do it. There are a few people on here that keep them outdoors yearround except during some of the winter days that dip into the 40's and 30's. I know for a fact it will be cooler outside in your yard(As long as you provide shade) than outside on your patio. Atleast for the type of patio I have. I would never leave my chameleons out all day if I were not home in the summer. Better safe than sorry.

I appreciate the advice... was guessing that it was too hot to keep him out there full-time.

So it seems that as much natural sunlight as possible would be the ticket, whether or not they are kept outside.

Will most likely just handle him and keep him in the sun for 10 or so minutes each day... hopefully his colors benefit!

 

[camimom]

I appreciate the advice... was guessing that it was too hot to keep him out there full-time.

So it seems that as much natural sunlight as possible would be the ticket, whether or not they are kept outside.

Will most likely just handle him and keep him in the sun for 10 or so minutes each day... hopefully his colors benefit!

Youll see his colors get better over time. Ive found that the more i left them outside, the better they did.

 

[Olimpia]

If you can keep him outside for 20-30 minutes a day, he'll be better for it. The benefits of natural sunlight cannot be overstated!