weather and habitat B. thamnobates

[casperpetersen]

hello fellow nerds!
any one know some propper sites with weather forecast in the areas of thamnobates.. and I would be werry interested in some different habitat pics aswell if possible.... and I´m sure i´m not the only one that would be interrested in that info

 

[chameleonneeds]

Here is a site more about the tourism but also gives you an idea of what its like/how it looks.
http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionskzn/kzn_midlands.htm

Cant really find any websites about the climate, though I know that it is usualy always warm in the midlands/KZN, in summer the temps are around 20-35celsius (sometimes up to 40), in winter I am not sure how low the temps can get but they can still go up to around 25 celsius.
The rain season is summer (December-February).

I am going down to KZN in December and will have a few chances to find some B.thamnobates and B.melanocephalum, I hope I find some, if I do I will definetely get plenty pictures, I still actualy need to get the pics of the pumilum up!

 

[eisentrauti]

Can it there be snow in this area ?

 

[chameleonneeds]

What you mean Ben?

It does snow if few parts of the country - not that much though, and mostly only on the highest mountains such as the drakensburg and Table Mountain.
The weather can be very unpredictable here in S.A, a few years back it snowed in Gauteng, in winter.

 

[eisentrauti]

http://www.sa-venues.com/attractionskzn/currys-post.php I ask because of this link. When this is normal in the habitat of Bradypodion thamnobates I can keep them probably most of the year outdoors with a plant house and a garage !

 

[Damaranum]

Hi Casper,

Prober information will be difficult as most weather sides will only provide you with info from Durban, and this is a few hunderd meters lower as the midlands.

Benny is correct I've been in the thamnobates area and it can snow there. And the lowest temps registered are -16 degrees as far as I know.

But this doesn't make it okay to keep them outside all year round here, as there are many things different in the climate. As the cold period is much shorter, and on the hot days temps will get much higher as here. and sun intensity is much higher. It only makes clear they can cope a lot (hot and cold temps) But in my opinion it is not wise to expel your animals for a long term to those extremes, as also in nature all weaker animals will die.

An other important thing is that in nature they can search for the ideal brumation place, in captivity in regular terrariums this ain't possible. Maybe in a big greenhouse this can be done, if actions are taken to make sure the animals can warm up if wanted.

This is just my opinion.

 

[fluxlizard]

Maybe you can still find Bert Langerwerf's article on breeding these. It was printed in the British Journal of Herpetology in the early 90s sometime. Usually he included weather data in their native habitat and compared with his location in Alabama where he was breeding outdoors year round in his articles.

 

[Chris Anderson]

I have a copy of Langerwerf's paper if anyone is looking for it (email me). For what its worth, B. thamnobates goes into a winter torpor in the wild during parts of the winter because it does get quite cold across their range.

Chris

 

[eisentrauti]

Hi Casper,

Prober information will be difficult as most weather sides will only provide you with info from Durban, and this is a few hunderd meters lower as the midlands.

Benny is correct I've been in the thamnobates area and it can snow there. And the lowest temps registered are -16 degrees as far as I know.

But this doesn't make it okay to keep them outside all year round here, as there are many things different in the climate. As the cold period is much shorter, and on the hot days temps will get much higher as here. and sun intensity is much higher. It only makes clear they can cope a lot (hot and cold temps) But in my opinion it is not wise to expel your animals for a long term to those extremes, as also in nature all weaker animals will die.

An other important thing is that in nature they can search for the ideal brumation place, in captivity in regular terrariums this ain't possible. Maybe in a big greenhouse this can be done, if actions are taken to make sure the animals can warm up if wanted.

This is just my opinion.

Of course I won't test minus degrees with them but between 0-10°C should be an option for tests.
@Chris: Can you mail me the article ?

 

[casperpetersen]

Thanks guy´s
what about some southafrican university that have special focus on biology and geology.... do YOU know some ? maybe they have some more info (if they are willing too share the info)

 

[chameleonneeds]

Dont know if universities would be able to help.

I have someone who might be able to help you out. PM sent

 

[melanocephalum]

Can it there be snow in this area ?

NOTTINGHAM ROAD The general area where these chameleons are quite common has had recorded snow fall for many years consistently as well as heavy frost layers in the mornings.

We found a particular adult male in the late evening with a surface tempreture of around 4 degrees Celsius!