How Much Water Should a Chameleon Drink?
Most individuals are eager to get a pet chameleon to wonder how to keep them hydrated. Nearly all chameleon species originate from areas with limited rainfall and had to adapt a survival tactic to remain hydrated in the wild.
For that reason, chameleons get their water intake from licking dew on plants and leaves.
Chameleon’s drinking instinct does not come naturally. In reality, dripping rainwater triggers them to take a sip. In captivity, a pet owner has to come up with a reliable solution that mimics the natural environment.
One approach you should never attempt with a chameleon is putting water in a bowl. Not only does it expose them to drowning risks, but also acts as a bacteria breeding spot.
To keep your pets hydrated and healthy, give them enough water in the correct manner. Join us as we brief you on how to effectively provide sufficient water to your pet chameleon.
How Much Water Does Chameleons Need?
For those living in a warmer climate, water evaporates faster. So, one has to keep on refilling the containers and spraying the cage more often. Without easy access to water, chameleons easily become hydrated.
Although these creatures mostly hydrate through the mouth, they can also absorb a significant amount of water through the skin.
To achieve this at home, pet keepers use a dripping system to spray water in the cage. That way, the reptile soaks up some of the water, and also drinks droplets sprayed on the plant leaves.
How Often Do Chameleons Drink?
Depending on the climate, chameleons drink water once or twice a day. In captivity, the principal goal is to imitate the natural procedure as much as possible. It is wise to use a reliable drinking method that satisfies the natural need while eradicating stress points.
Remember that in some natural settings, water can be a limited commodity. This forces some species to consume negligible amounts of it. When you adopt such chameleons as pets, it can be a struggle to introduce them to regular water drinking.
Proper hydration is vital for pet chameleons. In fact, experts recommend lots of water for a prolonged and healthier life. There are several options that work perfectly well.
Whatever method you use, remember that availability of water triggers reflective drinking in chameleons. Hence, inducing your pet to take in more water through reflexive response is the best gift you can ever give your pet.
How to Provide Water for Your Chameleon?
There are various effective ways to use when providing water to chameleons. In all tactics, water has to drip from the branches and leaves to catch your pet attention.
Typically, allow the water to flow for a couple of minutes to trigger the reflective reaction. This motivation ploy has to continue until the reptile stops drinking.
There is a great need to create adequate drainage in the enclosure. This allows sufficient spraying on a regular basis. Hand spraying is an effective approach but requires a lot of time and attention. Practically, one has to spray twice per day to achieve its purpose.
Still, you can invest in artificial waterfalls sold in pet shops. While they look pretty attractive, they make an ideal breeding spot for bacteria.
Another successful strategy is to drill small holes at the bottom of a plastic box, then place it on the top of the cage. One potential challenge with the setup is that the holes get blocked after sometime.
If this happens, go for a simple dripping system. The advantage of this method is that it controls water speed as it drips into the cage. Then, there is the automated water system.
This is the most effective method that supplies the right amount of water needed. Luckily, there are plenty of automated systems available in the market. To persuade your chameleons to drink more, use warm water in all your methods.
How Long Can Chameleon Go Without Water?
It is not unusual for a pet chameleon to go for up to two days without drinking water. In such a situation, increase misting and spraying to keep them dehydrated.
Keep in mind that there are specific species like veiled juveniles who dislike misting. In such a case, the poor drinking habit may escalate if misting frequencies increase.
Sometimes, it is common for your shy animal to avoid drinking in your presence. With such a small body, the chameleon absorbs plenty of moisture from the feeders. You may notice them avoiding drinking water, yet they remain hydrated.
To confirm if they are secret drinkers, check their poop regularly. Does it have plenty of white colors? There is nothing much to fret about if it does. A yellow hue is a critical warning sign that your little friend is not drinking enough water.
When dehydrated, chameleon eyes appear sunken. In some situations dehydration happens without noticeable signs. To prevent that, ensure that you spray water on the foliage.
Then, prepare to stay around the cage for a long time. Ultimately, this encourages the animal to drink water even when there is someone in the vicinity.
Can Chameleons Drink Tap Water?
Although experts discourage use of tap water on chameleons, it all depends on what flows through your pipes. Before giving your pet any water, buy a basic test kit to confirm its safety on a reptile. The most excellent PH for a chameleon ranges from 6.5 to 8.5.
Invest in a water filter to remove harmful chemicals. Even if your tap water is clean enough, it has unseen particles and chemicals that may upset your pet’s health. There are few cases where pet owners notice swelling and edema after exposing their pets to tap water.
While distilled water is an ideal alternative, it lacks sufficient minerals vital to your pet’s well-being. Altogether, spring water comes as the closest replica to rainwater.
Wrap up
Occasionally, your chameleon may refuse to drink water for several days. A quick remedy is to force some water down using a pipette.
Then concentrate on activating their reflective drinking through misting. This does not only successfully motivate chameleons to drink on their own, but also keeps them healthy.
