Is it worth carrying my small MEP outdoors each day?
I currently have two setups for my (131 g) MEP. The indoor temp and humidity controlled enclosed set up (heat, no lighting), which is near windows, and covered with a mostly opaque top. Natural light gets through- enough to provide a day/night- but is certainly not strong, it's debatable how much UV gets through. It is never in direct sun. Spider plant seems to do well, but the other plantings in here don't thrive and I suspect light levels.
The second set up is a protected outdoor setup with several hides and humid substrate. The air temps run around 70 (up to 90's on the substrate in the sun, upper 60's to 70's in the hides and in the shaded areas). Air humidity runs low, about 57%, substrate is almost wet. There seems to be a decent range in temp and humidity, though not as controlled as indoors, for sure. I generally bring her out for 4 hours or less mid-day, when it's a high of mid 70's to low 80. As soon as the temp dips she's back in.
MEP is active in the indoor enclosure- roaming between the CHE and hides and eating super well. I have not observed this happening in the outdoor enclosure- 'she' seems to remain in the darkest hide available- a partially buried flower pot under an additional shade cover. I once observed her foraging (there's lots of tasty stuff growing in there!), but beyond that, I don't see much activity. After being outside we do a soak and then she's back in her indoor habitat. I've been keeping up the routine for about 3 weeks now,
I'm wondering what other experiences with MEP's as hatchlings might be on this issue- my other species generally seem to "enjoy" being outside, and as a general rule as long as temperatures are good they're all outside as much as possible (which thankfully, in our climate, is most always). I know these guys are crepuscular, and I don't think I was expecting full on basking- but I'm also a bit concerned about the potential natural light (or lack thereof).
Opinions?
I currently have two setups for my (131 g) MEP. The indoor temp and humidity controlled enclosed set up (heat, no lighting), which is near windows, and covered with a mostly opaque top. Natural light gets through- enough to provide a day/night- but is certainly not strong, it's debatable how much UV gets through. It is never in direct sun. Spider plant seems to do well, but the other plantings in here don't thrive and I suspect light levels.
The second set up is a protected outdoor setup with several hides and humid substrate. The air temps run around 70 (up to 90's on the substrate in the sun, upper 60's to 70's in the hides and in the shaded areas). Air humidity runs low, about 57%, substrate is almost wet. There seems to be a decent range in temp and humidity, though not as controlled as indoors, for sure. I generally bring her out for 4 hours or less mid-day, when it's a high of mid 70's to low 80. As soon as the temp dips she's back in.
MEP is active in the indoor enclosure- roaming between the CHE and hides and eating super well. I have not observed this happening in the outdoor enclosure- 'she' seems to remain in the darkest hide available- a partially buried flower pot under an additional shade cover. I once observed her foraging (there's lots of tasty stuff growing in there!), but beyond that, I don't see much activity. After being outside we do a soak and then she's back in her indoor habitat. I've been keeping up the routine for about 3 weeks now,
I'm wondering what other experiences with MEP's as hatchlings might be on this issue- my other species generally seem to "enjoy" being outside, and as a general rule as long as temperatures are good they're all outside as much as possible (which thankfully, in our climate, is most always). I know these guys are crepuscular, and I don't think I was expecting full on basking- but I'm also a bit concerned about the potential natural light (or lack thereof).
Opinions?