When does he drink???

[Avkidd1980]

We have had our male veiled Cham for about two weeks. He is now used to his encloser and stays quite happy. I never see him drink though..... Like ever. We have a dripper, a cantina fountain, and I gently mist him and his plants 2 to 3 times a day with warm water. It drives me CRAZY that I have never actually seen him drink. I've been lucky a few times to get him to drink from a sterile syringe ( no needle obviously). But that is the only time I have ever witnessed it. His appatite seems fantastic. I just don't know if he ever drinks other then when I do it by hand.... And that is not always a sure thing either.

 

[jpowell86]

First off, welcome to the Forums! It's not surprising to hear that you haven't seen your chameleon drink. Some chameleons simply refuse to drink in front of their owners. With that being said, can you please post some pictures of him so we can make sure that there isn't something medical that could be causing his lack of interest in drinking? Also, if you could fill out the "how to ask for help" form, it could help us determine if there are other factors that could be causing issues. Here is the link. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Avkidd1980]

First off, welcome to the Forums! It's not surprising to hear that you haven't seen your chameleon drink. Some chameleons simply refuse to drink in front of their owners. With that being said, can you please post some pictures of him so we can make sure that there isn't something medical that could be causing his lack of interest in drinking? Also, if you could fill out the "how to ask for help" form, it could help us determine if there are other factors that could be causing issues. Here is the link. https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[jpowell86]

thanks, can you post a pic of the entire enclosure?

 

[Avkidd1980]

This is him in his temporary encloser taken just two days ago about 8pm ...pretty sure he was getting ready for bed as this is the position he usually takes up when he does. Our neighbor is currently building an all screened encloser. This one is a glass encloser with a screen top and front swinging doors. He is still in juvenile stage but unsure of actual age.

 

[Noahtb54]

How do I start my own forum I have a few questions about my chameleon

 

[Avkidd1980]

thanks, can you post a pic of the entire enclosure?

Yes sorry.

 

[Avkidd1980]

This is the entire thing for about another two weeks. He is up at the corner chilling on the humidity detector.

 

[jpowell86]

Glad to hear that you have a screen enclosure in the making. So, you may not be seeing him drink if the chameleon cantina is running and it gives him a constant water source. But beware, chameleon cantina's are bacterial breeding grounds and can cause some serious medical issues with your chameleon if not properly maintained/cleaned on a daily basis. Also, I would take the time to get all of the substrate out that you have placed at the bottom of the enclosure. That's a recipe for disaster with young chameleons. It could cause impaction or hold too much moisture causing URI's. No since in risking it for another two weeks. Hopefully we can get a closer pic of the little guy tomorrow when he wakes up. I think it's hilarious that he is using the hygrometer as his sleeping perch!

 

[Avkidd1980]

How do I start my own forum I have a few questions about my chameleon

I had a hard time finding it to.

 

[Avkidd1980]

Glad to hear that you have a screen enclosure in the making. So, you may not be seeing him drink if the chameleon cantina is running and it gives him a constant water source. But beware, chameleon cantina's are bacterial breeding grounds and can cause some serious medical issues with your chameleon if not properly maintained/cleaned on a daily basis. Also, I would take the time to get all of the substrate out that you have placed at the bottom of the enclosure. That's a recipe for disaster with young chameleons. It could cause impaction or hold too much moisture causing URI's. No since in risking it for another two weeks. Hopefully we can get a closer pic of the little guy tomorrow when he wakes up. I think it's hilarious that he is using the hygrometer as his sleeping perch!

Lol yes..... He has been favoring it as of lately. I will remove the substrate. I have read many things before getting this little Guy and it was so half and half on opinions for substrate that I was not 100 percent sure about it. As for the cantina.....it says on the directions that the filter needs to be replaced every two weeks and cleaned out as it can lead to issues. I have had thoughts of turning it into a nifty little "drip catch" in fear that the noise from the cantina might be scaring him away. I seen him crawling on it today though so maybe he is not scared of it. Idk.

 

[jpowell86]

Substrate is okay as long as it is completely covered by some form of stone that isn't easily moved by your cham and doesn't cause moisture problems. But, since you have a veiled, it just isn't for the best. The cantina directions are nuts. That sponge filter is a perfect place for bacterial colonies to establish and flourish. I have used one and found that the only way to be safe is daily cleanings. In fact, I completely removed the sponge filter, because it is basically a glorified sediment filter....who needs that in a chameleon enclosure? I would remove it all together...let's say for the sake of science, and see if you can get visual conformation of your cham drinking when a constant source of water isn't offered. This is my personal opinion, but I don't use any automated misting devices on my chams when they are that young. I like to physically spray their enclosures to make sure that the water offered is of proper temperature and where I want it to be. You don't have to do that, just a thought.

 

[wodesorel]

I apologize in advance, I've got MBD and UVB running through my head all the time right now. I can see a daylight blue and a red night heat bulb, but I don't see any form of UVB on the top the cage for him in the photo? Hoping it's out of frame somewhere.

 

[Avkidd1980]

Substrate is okay as long as it is completely covered by some form of stone that isn't easily moved by your cham and doesn't cause moisture problems. But, since you have a veiled, it just isn't for the best. The cantina directions are nuts. That sponge filter is a perfect place for bacterial colonies to establish and flourish. I have used one and found that the only way to be safe is daily cleanings. In fact, I completely removed the sponge filter, because it is basically a glorified sediment filter....who needs that in a chameleon enclosure? I would remove it all together...let's say for the sake of science, and see if you can get visual conformation of your cham drinking when a constant source of water isn't offered. This is my personal opinion, but I don't use any automated misting devices on my chams when they are that young. I like to physically spray their enclosures to make sure that the water offered is of proper temperature and where I want it to be. You don't have to do that, just a thought.

Ok. Thank you very much! I will do both of those things.

 

[Avkidd1980]

I apologize in advance, I've got MBD and UVB running through my head all the time right now. I can see a daylight blue and a red night heat bulb, but I don't see any form of UVB on the top the cage for him in the photo? Hoping it's out of frame somewhere.

That bulb on the left is actually a UVB. I just got a new one yesterday because the one I had was given to me and I was not sure how old it was. I read they need to be replaced every 6 months.

 

[Avkidd1980]

That bulb on the left is actually a UVB. I just got a new one yesterday because the one I had was given to me and I was not sure how old it was. I read they need to be replaced every 6 months.

You know what..... You are correct. I grabbed the wrong one yesterday. I'll have to take it back and get the right one. Thank you for noticing that. I had to dig out the box I bought it in. Thought I was crazy. Lol. I'll just stick the old one back in for the meantime.