Misting Systems with Mesh Cage?

[Befulina]

Hi,

I just got my first chameleon (panther) this weekend. I'd been researching and planning this for a while, but now that he's home, I've found I have a few more practical questions.

Skittles is a 7 month old, male Ambilobe living in an aluminum mesh 18"x18"x36" cage. He has some climbing vines, and will soon have a potted pothos in his enclosure. He's been eating well, but I'm worried about his drinking. I've set up a basic drip system (a plastic cup with a pin-hole in the bottom that drips over some leaves), and I've been misting with a hand-sprayer a few times a day, however I have yet to see him drink.

I'm looking into getting a misting system, to keep him better hydrated and keep the humidity up, but am wondering how it will work with a mesh cage! Won't the mist spray out from the cage and cover my walls and anything near the enclosure?

I'd appreciate any tips or advice! Thanks!

 

[Texas Panther Man]

From what i gather you aim your spray nozzles at the plant foliage to keep the spray contained in the cage. Also you caan put a plastic shower curtain over the opposite side of the cage from the nozzle. That would keep the spray in the cage. Also make sure your spray is very fine. You don't want it shootng out like a sprinkler head.

 

[PicassothePanther]

The finer the mist from the spray, the better. It creates humidity and it makes less of a mess (not to mention it is more natural for ur cham.

I would suggest going to the $1 store and getting a clear or white shower curtain liner (or whatever color you want) - and cut 2 18"x36" squares from the curtain. use those as 2 sides of your cage and you can attach them using tape. If your cham isn't drinking, it could be due to stress, which may or may not be related to humidity level, which should increase as long as you are misting.

You should also have a misting system, in addition to your drip cup. I would recommend a Mist King - mistking.com

there are other options, but for the best care and happy lizard, get a mist king!

 

[pssh]

Are it's urates white? If the urates are white he is drinking, just not in front of you.

How long do you mist for?

 

[boj3434]

If his urates look fine then I wouldnt worry about it. I rarely see my chameleon drink but he obviously does and they can also get hydrated through other things like what they eat. If his urate is white then just keep up what your doing. I didnt want t spend the money on a misting system so I bought a 10 garden pump sprayer and it works great and its way easier that a spray bottle.

 

[Befulina]

Thanks for the advice! His urates are looking pretty good from what I've seen so far, so I'll just keep an eye on them and not worry so much. Thanks for the shower curtain idea...off to get a few 99 cent ones today from Ikea.

I've been looking at the Mist King systems, and come next paycheck, will definitely be getting one, most likely the Starter System. How do the systems compare? Any good reason to pay two or three times as much for the advanced or ultimate premium systems? I'm looking for cheap, basic, and functional.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Unless you have a large breeding setup all you need is the starter kit. You can add on up to 5 nozzles i think. U might want to upgrade the the spray nozzles though from what i heard.

 

[dmaizer]

MistKing is best misting system (i have one its awesome), but i also have 5 chams hand misting would be a pain. if you do get one, get the starter system unless you get more chams