Going on Vacation... Need to get my chameleon ready

[Sarahml]

Hi, I am leaving for Florida in a couple of weeks, and I need to get my cage set-up for when I leave. I already have a timer, basking light, fluorescent light etc. But what I am really concerned about is Isabelle's water supply. Someone will be coming in every 2 days to feed her, but what should I do about water? I spray her a few times a day and leave some water dripping for her when I am home. Will she drink still water if that is her only option?

[tHeGiNo]

Will she drink still water if that is her only option

If you mean out of a bowl, there aren't loads of chameleons who will do this. If you mean dew off leaves, she likely will however this will eventually evaporate.

[Sarahml]

I have a water fountain which I could also turn on, a dish for her to drink from, and the person who will come in and feed her will also spray her, is this good enough? Or should I purchase an auto sprayer?

[tHeGiNo]

Do all that, and ensure he sprays her, and everything should be fine. How long are you leaving for?

[Collide]

Is there any way you could leave her with someone who can take care of her? If some one is comming to feed her you should get them to spray her as well and not just wet the leave but spray really well... A auto sprayer would be good but if she is getting sprayed buy the feeder then u might be ok... what kind of chameleon is she a veiled? i think that a veild is the only type that will do decient under those conditions for a short time athough if she is used to her current conditions and that changes it may have bad effects. just some of my thoughts mabey you could find a babysitter in your area? that would be ideal...

[choriona]

I'll have to agree with Collide. Veileds can tolerate a lot more than other species. If you do leave a fountian going, depending on the size of the resivoir, your house sitter may need to fill it up. They evaporate pretty quickly.
Maybe if the sitter will be there a while, you could have a humidifyer they can turn on in the room near the cage for the time they are there. Every ittle bit helps.
That being said, I have left my chams un-sprayed for 3 days, without a fountian, and everything was fine. BUT i definately don't recommend this unless you absolutely have to. Everyone got a nice long shower the day I got back.

[K1LOS]

I am looking at a similar problem. I will be getting my juvenile cham at the show on the 22nd, then march 4th i have to go away for a few days. I normally wouldn't think much of it, but because it is so young i am concerned. I know everything else i have will be just fine, but the watering of my cham is a problem. It will be a 2" svl nosy be. Basically i have 3 options, i find someone to come by my house while i'm gone and feed and spray him (realistically it would be max 1nce a day). OR I can try and bring it to a friends house and then it would be able to get more attention. OR the cham goes it alone for 3.5 days. I'm not sure who i'd be getting to care for it yet. What do you all think?

Geoff

[meow_mix450]

ok, use a fogger if you got one, it will help a lot!!!!! leave it on all through the week, untill you come back, and get your friend to fill the water if it runs out, get your friend to spray, for like 10 mins, and it should be fine, your gone for a couple of weeks, so i would get your friend to come every other day?

Meow

[Collide]

Really id say leave that baby with someone, a friend u trust someone that has other reptiles, babies are easily dehydrated and with it being a panther they need lots of water as little ones.. leave some stirict instructions and show the people what to do, thats just my opinion though...

[meow_mix450]

good advice:)

Meow

[K1LOS]

only friends i know that have reptiles, i can't say i care for the way they keep them. They all seem healthy enough, but some don't have proper lighting or temps. I think sometimes there is a stretch between meals. Anyways, i'm not knocking their keeping, it just seems that i am a little more anal about husbandry then they are. I don't think i'd feel overly comfortable leaving my cham with them. I got one other guy that i have looked after some turtles for in teh past, but i think he is a pretty busy guy. I'll have to ask him. Worst part is all my roommates are coming with me, would have made my life alot easier if someone couldn't get off work or something! Trace lives near by, but i don't know her very well, and i haven't heard from her in sometime. I think i would be imposing on her to ask. I'll work something out though!

Geoff

[choriona]

Yeah - i'd agree that a young cham just couldn't hack it. Why don't you get the breeders info at the show, explain your situation and pick a baby up from them AFTER you get back? If it was me, and you paid half the money up front, I'd be glad to keep it for a bit longer instead of having it sit alone and neglected for a few days. Just a thought.

[meow_mix450]

o.k were not sure if its a baby, and it seems like hes had Isabelle, for a while, lol

Meow