Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm wondering if you have to build their cages in direct sunlight and provide places for them to get out of the sun or if you can build them in the shade (i.e. under a covered part of a barn)?? Is it defeating the purpose of having them outside if they are in the shade???

I'm trying to come up with an alternative plan as my husband is giving me a hard time about the chams in the house.

Garage would be an option, but I'm afraid that gets too hot in the summer.

Lastly, would spiders be an issue? I would imagine that they could get through any crack or crevice, so it seems like that wouldn't be good. We have lots of spiders around in our barn AND our garage...no idea why.

Anyway, thanks for the input!
Kristen (who doesn't want to quit getting chams just because hubby is having a hissy)
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1.1 pygmy leaf
1.0 carpet
1.0 jackson
0.0.3 red eared sliders

I dont know what other people do or how they have their cages set up but mine are on the back porch. They get morning and afternoon sunlight. I'm sure if you put yours beside a barn it would get sunlight at some point during the day. good luck
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From Sunny Florida
Jovana's kids listed below
1.1 Veileds
1.0 Ambanja Panther
1.1 Tamatave Panther

It depends on which chams your going to keep. If your keeping panthers or veilds, direct, hot sun would be fine. You can use a misting system to control the temp. Make it big enough for a large shady tree such as a ficus, orange or Mulberry tree. One thing I've done is plant these types of trees in large pots(burying the pots in the ground first!) This retards the growth of the trees keeping them managable. Spiders shouldn't be a problem-some are even edible! But you can get some powdered insect killer and use it for control.(use care) Screen will help to keep them out as well. Chams needing cooler climates will still need some sunlight during the day. Another point to consider: If you build next to the barn, and the sun does hit the side of the barn your building on, and your cage sits close to the barn, you could end up with a cage that is hotter than the actual outdoor temp! The heat can reflect off of the buildings causing trouble.

I don't think spiders will be a problem, I think chams eat spiders in the wild, so it would add a little variety in their diet. I wouldn't put any insect powder down though, because even if it didn't come in contact with the cage, what will keep an insect from being in it, then wandering into your cham's cage and being eaten? I think that if they are outside you need to make sure that any insects in the area haven't been sprayed, because they will find a way into the cage and the chams will eat them. Just a thought!

Yes, you have to be careful! My cages are covered in screen, the joints are sealed, not so much to keep the insects from comming in, but to keep them from getting OUT!! I don't know what would happen if one of my neighbors found a hisser in their house!! But with the screen, you are pretty safe, also depends on where you place it, you can make a ring around the cage far enough away. I've been doing this for a year (mostly for ants) and have had no problems. Keeps the ants from crossing the powder barrier.