Taking the guy out for a branch......
- Thread starter gotwqqd
- Start date
jpowell86
Chameleon Enthusiast
As far as temps are concerned, if your outside weather doesn't coincide with what the particular species you keep needs, I would limit their time outside. Just to get some sunshine is totally fine, but to leave outside all day can be a disaster.
As far as precipitation, it depends on the time of year IMO. If we get warm springs and summer showers, my Melleri will sit outside for hours just loving life. But fall time, common sense dictates not to due to the rain being a colder temp.
As far as run aways, this happens more often than you think. YES, they will go straight up a tree without a problem. I have a very old Shumardi oak in my front yard. The diameter of the trunk is roughly 4 foot...so a fairly large tree. I have Japanese maples that are in my front beds that I let my chameleons sun themselves on when weather permits. One day a couple years ago, Macumba decides that the Shumardi is a better option than the maple. I feel like I stepped inside for 20 seconds.....which I know isn't correct...but still. I searched and searched. He was at the very top of the tree. I had to go to home depot and rent a lift that would get me high enough to reach the branch he was on with a pruning pole. It was terrible. So, don't make my stupid mistake. Now I have outdoor enclosures for all my chameleons. Much easier and less stress. Just my opinion.
absolutbill
Chameleon Enthusiast
The other thing to consider is predators - cats, hawks, dogs, neighborhood kids, etc. There are numerous horror stories on here about leaving a cham unattended outside for "just a minute", and coming back to see that tragedy had struck. Either be right there with your cham outside (and not falling asleep like I'm prone to doing!), or build a sturdy outdoor cage that can withstand being blown or knocked over. I'm all for fresh sunshine for our chams, but doing it safely.
JGuinan007
Avid Member
I just put a baby painter turtle in my parents pond last summer, and where grilling on the back patio when a red tailed hawk swooped down and grabbed the turtle and flew to a telephone pole ate him and dropped the shell on the side walk then flew down to pick at the rest. I had never even seen a hawk in our yard growing up there.
carol5208
Chameleon Enthusiast
that is horrible! When I was a little girl I put my little turtle to swim in our bird bath and I went to play in the yard. A few minutes later I saw a black bird flying away with him! I was just about 6 or 7 and never thought about the dangers. I also almost had one of my chameleons almost snatched up by a big hawk with me sitting right there. Best is to house them in some sort of cage outside.
A buddy of mine and myself do keep ours outdoors when weather permits for decades i socal.I work from home myself so im always monitoring the environment..as well as i have greenhouse nursury 80% shading for when its hot.along with misters outdoors.and a large greenhouse 20 x 10 i can use in early spring.wth misters and a swamp cooler if needed.the biggest thing for me is low humdity..it messes with thier system has to be up there. So i have to adjust that highly with devices. But i dont let mine free roam much too many things can happen..like nabbing a hornet or a hawk nabbing the animal. If do im always there engaged watching for those things. I find that when mine are outdoors they are very happy and more active when i bring them in for winter some get depressed..just spoiled.
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MSMorgan
Avid Member
Don't get me started. I have a bugenvalia in my entryway and Lucky climbed right off my shoulder and into it one day while I was talking with my neighbor. Took me an hour to get him out. If you haven't seen the thorns from a bugenvalia........ it really isn't for the squeamish. With a little luck, I pulled Lucky out without a scratch. I, on the other hand, had blood running down my arms from the thorns. NEVER again!!!!!
absolutbill
Chameleon Enthusiast
That's why his name is LUCKy!
I just took down my Christmas lights, and had to move around the bougenvilla in my front flower bed - looks like I was attacked by some vicious creature on my legs!
