Taking him outside?

[EveryGreen]

so it was nice today, and before i joined i had this question but there was nothing on it, so now im here i should probably ask. it was mid 80s today and i thought 'hey why not take cooper outside' and i cleaned up my hands and took him outsite, but as soon as cooper knew he was outside he released all of the air he had and got super skinny and dark green. and i just wonder why he does this cause he looks like i havnt fed him in weeks (reality i fed him yesterday) but as soon as i get back inside he changes to his normal inside size and color,

any thoughts on how or why he does that? if he were basking in the sun he would be plate size leaning over to get as much sun as possible

might i add that his back gets curved when he does this to.
Everygreen

 

[EveryGreen]

wheres he help when you really need it

 

[tenchijin]

Most likely he's responding to the fact that he's out in the open and knows it. I used to put my chams in a tree in my yard during the summer and sit out. They became very cautious and did the trick where they hide behind a branch with eyes peering out from each side. Pretty funny but made it hard to find them when I was ready to bring them in.

 

[EveryGreen]

Thanks for the help. I kind of understand now

 

[Andee]

Usually this is more a problem when you don't take them out regularly, especially if you have birds that regularly come in the yard. Chameleons do not like any birds at all.

 

[EveryGreen]

Usually this is more a problem when you don't take them out regularly, especially if you have birds that regularly come in the yard. Chameleons do not like any birds at all.

He was in my hands and there were no birds in plain sight it's been wet and rainy but when it's nice outside i usually take him for about 10 to 15

 

[Andee]

You might want to start prolonging the jaunts outside. 10-15 minutes doesnt give him time to relax and get used to outside very easily and they would barely be out of the sun soaking stage at the end. I usually don't put my chameleons outside unless they get at least a full 30 minutes. Ryker has an outside cage I used when he could see better. He used to go out weekly during summer and spring months for around 3+ hours a week.

 

[EveryGreen]

You might want to start prolonging the jaunts outside. 10-15 minutes doesnt give him time to relax and get used to outside very easily and they would barely be out of the sun soaking stage at the end. I usually don't put my chameleons outside unless they get at least a full 30 minutes. Ryker has an outside cage I used when he could see better. He used to go out weekly during summer and spring months for around 3+ hours a week.

Is it safe to put him on a tree?

 

[tenchijin]

Is it safe to put him on a tree?

As long as he can't climb past your reach or escape when you aren't looking sure. Just stay nearby to make sure nothing tries to get him.

 

[jajeanpierre]

As long as he can't climb past your reach or escape when you aren't looking sure. Just stay nearby to make sure nothing tries to get him.

Coopers hawks, Sharp Shinned hawks (very common in suburbia), ravens and seagulls will take a chameleon off your shoulder. Just a warning.

And to answer the original question, he was terrified. Get a cage for him outside or put him in a small bush and sit beside him and watch him because they do sometimes leave the bush they are in.

 

[Angelwolf]

I had Echo outside for half an hour, too, yesterday. He was clearly afraid, but that's because me daughter and dog were out there with us. I kept them away, but he was still scared. I should have taken him in the front yard, instead, but didn't. Lesson learned. But it was also the first outdoor adventure since last summer. So hopefully, he will relax a bit, the more I take him out this summer.

 

[EveryGreen]

I had Echo outside for half an hour, too, yesterday. He was clearly afraid, but that's because me daughter and dog were out there with us. I kept them away, but he was still scared. I should have taken him in the front yard, instead, but didn't. Lesson learned. But it was also the first outdoor adventure since last summer. So hopefully, he will relax a bit, the more I take him out this summer.

Aye are you a pirate? Did he find me treasure?

 

[EveryGreen]

Coopers hawks, Sharp Shinned hawks (very common in suburbia), ravens and seagulls will take a chameleon off your shoulder. Just a warning.

And to answer the original question, he was terrified. Get a cage for him outside or put him in a small bush and sit beside him and watch him because they do sometimes leave the bush they are in.

Yea I have his travel cage will that work?

 

[MatthewGregory]

Lol hes trying not to get eaten by a bird

 

[EveryGreen]

I live in VA we don't have Hawks (mainly vultures) and if we do their eating some dead squirrel

 

[Andee]

How big is his travel cage. As long as it's comfortable for him to be in for a bit and you can make it leafy than I don't see why it wouldn't.

 

[Nursemaia]

Mine live outside once weather permits but I also have enclosures set up that are secure and animals can't break into and harm my chams

 

[EveryGreen]

Mine live outside once weather permits but I also have enclosures set up that are secure and animals can't break into and harm my chams

It's probably 1/3 of his real cage which is 4 tall by 2 wide

 

[Nursemaia]

I have iron cages outside for them.

 

[EveryGreen]

I have iron cages outside for them.

Seems extreme