Hydration

HeatherRose · 09-15-03, 02:32 PM

hey guys

I'm the proud new owner (since the Sept herp show) of a Nosy Be panther chameleon...he's from Connie @ Reptile Exotics and he rocks...

I'll post some pictures soon, I just want him to settle in

Anyway, on to my question....how do you ensure your chameleon is properly hydrated? I mist and mist and mist but I'm still not sure...I also know that misting isn't the best way....I *thought* once upon a time I read about showering them? Could someone clarify this?

Thanks !

Trace · 09-15-03, 02:46 PM

Hey Heather!

Misting is the best way of making sure he's got lots of water. You can also install a drip system that sits on the top of his cage and that provides water while you aren't home. I use the simple, cheapie ones that are empty sour cream containers with a pinhole in the bottom. I fill them with water and place them on the cage and the water slowly drips out onto strategically placed plants inside. Works like a charm. There are fancier automated drip systems you can buy as well.

As for the shower... as you may know I take in chameleons that people don't want anymore. Most of these guys are terribly dehydrated upon presentation to me and I find 10 minutes in the shower once or twice a day helps to get them rehydrated more quickly. I'll do this for a week or so, until they are better.

Every once in a while (once a week, once every two weeks?) I'll throw my guys into the shower just for fun. You can do this as well, but I think if you keep up with the, at least, twice daily mistings your little guy will be fine. You can tell if he gets dehydrated by his eyes. They will slowly sink into his skull if he is. It's creepy.

Post some pics soon!

Cheers!

Trace

HeatherRose · 09-15-03, 02:55 PM

Thanks a bunch Trace! I guess misting is fine then...

I'll post pics as soon as I can

CDN-Cresties · 09-15-03, 03:05 PM

Congrats on your new addition!!! Panther cham rock!!! How old is he? Didnt you want a BP before...lol Post pics soon!!!

-Steve-

marisa · 09-15-03, 03:09 PM

For Gus I fill his dripper twice per day. It drips on a series of leaves and then into a bucket which I leave in his cage and dump out once or twice per week.

I also make him let me mist him. He ignores the dripper from what I have seen but once in awhile will drink from the mist, especially if I mist downwards so its falling on top of him, instead of from the side. I don't know why that is though.

Good luck and congrats on your new cham!

Marisa

dank7oo · 09-15-03, 03:14 PM

i find spraying more than enough for my chams - if you spray heavily 2 - 3 times a day you should be fine

HeatherRose · 09-15-03, 05:58 PM

He's about 2 years old Steve! yup...my wanted list changes from time to time :|

It'll never end...

Thanks guys!

Brock · 09-16-03, 12:44 AM

Heather!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to MY world.

You'll want to spray him twice a day for at least 30 seconds each time, just as long as all the leaves in his enclosure have droplets on them or are shiny from the water. Once a day will suffice, but spray for about a minute or two.

Give him a nice 45 minute long warm shower once a month. What I usually do is give mine a pinky mouse and put them in the shower, that's their happy day. Just get your biggest tree and stick it in the shower and point the nozzel at the wall. Make sure the water doesn't run cold, and that no one needs the shower after your chams

One thing you should know about chameleons and water is that when you spray them excessively, or even put them in the shower for more than 5 minutes, they will close their eyes and then puff them out almost 2-3 times the normal size and then rub them on a branch. Don't worry about this. It's just their way of cleaning out their eye, it should go down within minutes, but if it doesn't go down within 24 hours take him to the vet.

And a note, it took me at least 7 months before I saw my first chameleon drink in front of me for the first time. They let their guard down when they drink and if you're around watching them, they usually will feel vulnerable, as if you were a predator. He'll get used to you though and trust you with time.

Congratulations on the Nosy Be, blue is my favourite colour morph of panthers. The dark Nosy Bes and blue bar Ambanjas are awesome.

-Brock

meow_mix450 · 09-16-03, 03:03 PM

punkuponastar: HEY!!!! i think i saw the one you got!!!, ya that panther is really pretty. get some pics for us, i really didnt get to see him, cause you got it right after i got the other one

well good luck with him

J-Man · 09-16-03, 04:00 PM

I don't mind to intrude on your post but what do you do if the shower nozzle can't turn all the way to the wall? just scrap the idea?

Wuntu Menny · 09-16-03, 04:23 PM

What's with all the showering? doesn't anybody use humidifiers in their rooms or enclosures? I've only ever had to resort to this for newly acquired WC's that were stressed and dehydrated from shipping.

WM

Trace · 09-16-03, 05:00 PM

Oh, I agree WM!!! Showering is not something you need to do with a chameleon on a daily basis. If you are misting heavily (5 minutes or more at a time) and have provided a dripper, most animals will be fine.

Personally I don't use my humidifier or foggers in the summer months for the chameleons. I'm in Ottawa, I don't have air conditioning, trust me the humidity level in my house is more than sufficient!

The chameleons love it, but I find it more than a little dreadful during those frequent hot spells we get here.

Cheers!

Trace