Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm getting a new veiled. Had a pair years ago. I planned on keeping them out in the yard under a gazeebo. Their cages would be attached to the sides about 4 feet off the ground. would be sheltered from rain, but would still enjoy the humidity. They would get natural sunlight but be sheltered from the mid day sun directly above. I kept my other ones in a screened in terrace, but this sounds so much better for them. Any feedback would be appreciated.

sounds good...just watch how much direct sunlight they're getting...only things i'd worry about is cats stalking them and driving them nuts and mites

I live in central florida (50 miles north of Orlando) and I have been keeping Chameleons (as well as day geckoes and several other types of reptiles) outside for several years and in fact only bring them in when the cold starts getting really bad (by florida standards upper 30's to low 40's at night and not getting any higher than upper 50's low 60's during day my cages are covered with plastic from thanksgiving wknd to mid-march) This is absolutely the best way to keep them. Depending on where you live and the size of your cage I wouldn't worry so much about mid-day sun veileds can take a lot of heat humidity is a little different. When I kept veileds thay basically did all right until late aug. early sept. when the afternoon rain pattern really kicks in here and we are getting rain every day although I would keep out at this time you could tell that the veileds really didn't like that much humidity other than that they do great. I would definately keep plants in with them so they have some where to hide. rthe one thing I have found is that cover like plants is really important for lizards outdoors becuase they really stress out if they feel exposed and out in the open. You will also want to consider your choice of material if you use screen may want to use hardware cloth on the cage first to keep rats from chewing through the screen and getting in and leaving an escape route for your chameleons. If you have snakes like black racers(which prey on lizards)around where you live don't 1"x1/2" fencing as they can get through this an eat your chameleon use hardware cloth (1/4" or1/2" instead. I could go on forever on this subject (I could write a book actually) so I will stop now if you have anymore questions please ask.

where in cntrl fla do you live? i live in Ocala
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"Master Shake" CARE & SETUP INFORMATION
4 Month Old Ambanja Panther Chameleon < Male >

Ocala Florida

--24 x 24 x 48 -- All screen Enclosure
--Pesticide-Free 3' Potted Ficus Tree.
--RepCal with D-3 Twice a Week
--Mineral Twice a Week
--16" UVB 5.0 Bulb (Waiting on a 10.0)
--Zoo-Med PowerSun UV 100watt
--Mr. Moisture Stystem - 3 Times a Day with Distilled Water
--Digital Timer On Lights 8:00AM - 8:00PM
--Digital Thermometer/Humidity Indicator
--55%-65% Humidity
--78*-87* Room Temp.
--95* Basking Temp.
--Eating 3/4" Crickets and Large Houseflys
--Gets to go out in his outdoor enclosure often to enjoy some Florida sun =)

XxKRYMZxX @aol.com - Im always willing to chat about Chameleons

I live in Paisley not far from you at all. Its about half-way between Umatilla and Deland on 42.

This is the type of cage i have. They would be mounted on the inside of a covered gazebo so they would be sheltered from the rain and up of the ground. This picture is from when i had chameleons a few years ago. I had them in storage and just rebuilt them. The screen is metalic. What do you think? I live in miami and it rarely gets that cold, but of course they would come inside during really cold days.

Your Image is not showing up on my computer. You should have relativley few problems living in Miami your summer temps are usually milder than our temps here in central Fl. and I have never had any problems here. Cooler temp chameleons such as Jacksons are a different story but veileds, panthers, outstellets,verrocouses(sorry can't remeber the spelling right now.)and such all should do fine for you. Unless you have a really small cage I just wouldn't worry about mid-day temps 60 to 70% of the plants you see growing in the Miami area will not grow where veileds come from because it is way too hot (and dry) for it. It also gets much colder in the winter in Yemen and Saudi Arabia than usually does in central and southern Fl. although our winters are a little wetter than theirs and this factors into keeping veileds outdoors in winter (wet cold fronts are really bad!!!) You should make a point of killing of any fire ant colonies you have in your yard. You also have a lot more options as to what you can use for plants in your cage that are so much better than all things "ficus" which as you know can grow out of control in S. Fl. Surinam cherry or "Cherry hedge" (Eugenia) is one plant that comes to mind right now.