I've had our 3 month old male carpet for about 4 days now. Mister goes off 4x a day for 2 minutes each time. I've noticed most of the time when it goes off he's up higher in the cage, like at his basking spot or something. And the water is not hitting him directly. Is this okay? Does his skin need to get wet? I've seen him eat a ton in front of us, but haven't really observed him drinking yet...which isn't to say he's not, I just think he hasn't in front of us. I'm just more concerned about if he needs to actually get his skin wet or not? Thanks.
misting - does his skin need to get wet?
- Thread starter lily2521
- Start date
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
It will help him get rid of shed skin and more importantly will help him clean out and lubricate his eyes.
Would it help if, along with the misting system I just hand misted once a day, to assure he's getting his body wet?
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
Probably not necessary with a misting system no.
If I'm not spraying him, and he's not under the mister when it goes off, how do I assure he's getting his skin wet as needed?
sandrachameleon
Chameleon Enthusiast
how low in the cage is the misting system?
I think its good for the skin and eyes to get some wetness periodically, as they would in rain. Doesn't have to be daily though
I think its good for the skin and eyes to get some wetness periodically, as they would in rain. Doesn't have to be daily though
It's about 2 inches from the top, pointing downwards at a slight angle to spray. I had it pointed sideways, to spray across the cage, but I noticed if I point it sideways I have water everywhere dripping down the side of the cage getting hit with water (even with a shower curtain lining) and it just sprays that side of the cage because it's a strong stream, it doesn't mist the center of the cage.
So even now it's still not misting the entire cage, but I set it up so that it would definitely hit plants, leaves and drip downwards from there, instead of just a straight stream to one side of it, not it's more centered
fluxlizard
Avid Member
I agree with this for carpets.
Back when I bred them I was using glass tanks and drip cups with catch bowls beneath for drinking water.
I gave a very light misting by hand most mornings and evenings, but that was mainly just to raise the humidity for a few hours.
I never gave the lizards what I would call a shower or a soaking from misting- just maybe hit them with a pump or two of the mist bottle.
Carpets can get all they need to drink from a drip.
Nowadays I use misters. If your mist system is on a timer, most chameleons soon learn when the mist is about to come on and will move either so they are in it or out of it when it first comes on. I think as long as the water is available on a regular schedule, you don't need to force the lizard- it can safely do what wants and a carpet will find plenty to drink from the vegetation after, even if it avoids the mist during.
