Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It was 113 over the weekend over here, hovering between 106-113 since last Wednesday. It's not even June yet and its already hotter than I've ever experienced!
I posted this question before, but I'm asking again- how hot is TOO hot for a veiled chameleon? Bernie's been moving the chameleon cages inside at about 10:30, but it's already 95 at this time. Apollo (male veiled) is doing the mouth agape thing when we bring him in, but it looks more like an overheating gesture, rather than an aggressive pose. Seren (female veiled) doesn't seem at all bothered by the heat. She has a very comfy, satisfied look to her in this heat, but we're bringing her in as well just to be safe.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com

Wow, thats unbelievably hot!
Well, I believe anything above 95 degrees is too hot. Even in the shade, temps can still reach extremes. So I'd be very careful, chams can become easily dehydrated and ill. Good luck!

Ha ha ha, gotta love the desert! We're sitting at 97 degrees now at 7:35 PM here in Vegas. It was 77 this morning when I left for work at 4:30AM. Sucks when you walk outside and it's hotter than indoors (I work outside in full sun, too!).
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
www.BLUEBEASTREPTILE.com

My God that is hot - I've never felt it over 105 - although that was in the
middle of an August drought my Jr. or Sr. year of HS, in football camp.
So I was in full pads, in 104-105 degrees, dust all over - in NEW
JERSEY!!!

Hottest I can remember it here, in NC was 101 or 102. It was very humid
as well, and my veileds loved it. The females were acting normally, but the
male was extra active - basking and everything.

I suspect that if the humidity was low(as it tends to be in the desert), he
wouldn't have been quite so outgoing. It'd be interesting to see how they
react to such temperatures. i had no problem keeping mine out in such
heat because they could regulate. They were in a 12x8x8 screen cage (the
screen blocked a significant amount of light, too) that had lots of plants.
they could go near the ground, which was pretty wet most of the time. I
wouldn't keep them oputside in high temperatures unless they were in a
very tall cage with very shady parts on the bottom. With the low humidity,
a cheap garden hose misting system would be great - hook up a lawn timer
to a hose and some nozzles, and they'll be good to go.

Yep, it's settled down a bit since the weekend. I think it only got up to 108 yesterday.
I was running late this morning, so I didn't get on the road til about 7:15. It felt about 90.
But it's a dry heat!
Seriously, I'm getting used to the heat, but then again, I can sweat. My chams can't.
Thanks for suggestion about the misters and the plants Eric. This is EXACTLY what I was thinking. Well, that and some shade cloth overhead. But honestly, even if all these measures bring it down by 20 degrees, it's still pretty darned hot.
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Victor Gomez
gomezvi@yahoo.com