Chameleon prefers water from a syringe?

[Celeste89]

First off I just wanted to say that this is my first post. I am a new member but have "stalked" this site quite a bit for info. I got a new 7 month old male Ambilobe Panther chameleon recently. He is my 3rd chameleon and he's such a joy. Last week I realized that I had never seen him drink from the Chameleon Cantina or lick water from the leaves. So I went in with a syringe and he wanted it. I guess my question is is this normal or has anyone had a chameleon that prefers to drink from a syringe rather than from other more natural sources of water? All of my other chams have never had any issue and i've never had to use the syringe but thank goodness i had it. He's in great physical health and I'm fine with giving him that kind of care since I am home all day anyway.

 

[melble68]

The first thing that comes to my mind is how does his urates look in his poo? Nice and white, and more of an orange tint? Just because you are not seeing him drink like your others normally drink, doesn't mean he's not. He may just be waiting for you to turn you head, and he takes a quick lick.

White urates show some good hydration, orange is showing not so much. He's obviously not shy if he's drinking from a syringe for your so keep it up. Sounds to me like some good special "bonding" time for you all.

 

[Celeste89]

The urates looks pretty white but for a small hint of orange at the end which I had heard was normal. He could very well be sneaking licks while I'm not looking. How often do you think I should offer him water with the syringe (once a day or every few hours...) and how much is a good amount that a healthy cham should be drinking?

 

[melble68]

Yeah I think a few times a day would be perfectly fine. From the sound of the urates they also seem perfectly fine

 

[Celeste89]

I will continue as is then. Thank you for your feedback!

 

[Carlton]

First off I just wanted to say that this is my first post. I am a new member but have "stalked" this site quite a bit for info. I got a new 7 month old male Ambilobe Panther chameleon recently. He is my 3rd chameleon and he's such a joy. Last week I realized that I had never seen him drink from the Chameleon Cantina or lick water from the leaves. So I went in with a syringe and he wanted it. I guess my question is is this normal or has anyone had a chameleon that prefers to drink from a syringe rather than from other more natural sources of water? All of my other chams have never had any issue and i've never had to use the syringe but thank goodness i had it. He's in great physical health and I'm fine with giving him that kind of care since I am home all day anyway.

Learning to drink directly from a syringe is fine, in fact I like teaching my chams to accept water from me this way (but I still mist their setups to provide humidity, they will still have the opportunity to lick droplets on their own terms, and sometimes it helps get them in the drinking mode a bit quicker). I know pretty closely how often and how long they drink each day. Its a chance to interact with them a little more and once in a while if I have to I can "sneak" a med that way.

 

[Carlton]

The urates looks pretty white but for a small hint of orange at the end which I had heard was normal. He could very well be sneaking licks while I'm not looking. How often do you think I should offer him water with the syringe (once a day or every few hours...) and how much is a good amount that a healthy cham should be drinking?

The end of the urate shows some orange or brownish at the end that came out first because that part of the material has been "waiting" longer to be expelled and is a little older and more condensed.

 

[ChameleonLady]

The end of the urate shows some orange or brownish at the end that came out first because that part of the material has been "waiting" longer to be expelled and is a little older and more condensed.

Now the question is, does poop come out first or urate?

 

[Celeste89]

I still do the regular misting sessions and leave the cantina on in hopes he will use it and just in case he needs a drink he can have that option.