Tasting or thirsty?

[bluegeorge]

I mist my cham 3 times a day and he has a little dripper on for a few hours as well. I mist for a good 3 - 5 mins and see him drink regulary (as long as he is in the mood to let me watch him drink). His poops have the white bit in it so I take that as an indication that he is drinking enough and he looks well hyrdrated.....his eyes are not sunken or anything.

I have noticed though when he is somewhere new or has something new in his cage (he got a new fiscus and new vine today) that he quickly touches it with his tongue once or twice.

I have seen him do this to our wooden bench, plastic pot plant, chair leg and numerous other random items. Is he thirsty or just being curious and tasting all things new?

 

[KevinA]

it's tasting it to see if other chameleons have been there. Look closley when he does it, I think its a panther right? They have a fork tonge almost like a snake. you only see it when their tasting things though. Pretty cool to see isnt it.

 

[Mcfluffin]

I have a few chams and I've only noticed my panther and my fischers doing it. I find they give you a suspicious looking glance whilst they are doing it...just checking that person who feeds me isn't going to eat me still Anyone seen any scientific papers on this?