How to mist with bedding in cage?

dj special k

New Member
How do I mist my Veiled's cage if I have that Reptibark tree bark bedding at the bottom? I recently bought it so that if my chameleon falls by any chance, she won't hit that fiber glass or plastic flooring; and also it would be easier to clean her droppings as I would only have to remove the bark pellets on and around her droppings.
I noticed though, with the amount of misting I do, I leave the cage dripping so she can lick the water droplets from the screen of the cage or the plants inside. If I mist it that much, won't the bedding at the bottom get soaked and eventually promote mold or fungus growth? The floor of my cage is pretty much flooded with water after each misting.
 
The large majority of experienced keepers will recommend that you do not use substrate, or leave it to the well experienced keepers and those that have differently designed cages with planted bottoms and efficient drainage systems.

You say that it makes it easier to remove the poop by picking up a clumb of substrate. Though I can't see it being any easier than pickup of poop of a smooth surface and using a cloth to wipe the area.

You fear for falling, but chameleons are designed to do so. Chameleons (some species likely more than others) instinctively drop from the branches to the ground to escape predators. Their body, particularly the lungs and ribs are designed to inflate, and deflate upon contact. Providing more densely planted cage should put your fears at rest. Trust them, they are good climbers... they have to be.

If your chameleon is a frequent faller, there may be an underlying health problem that should be addressed.

What type of cage are you using?
 
The good news is that it does sound like you are doing enough misting. Many people don't know just how much needs to be done to promote good health for the animals.

You are also now learning the way that I did... I needed a better method to drain the water out of the cage. I never knew just how much water was needed and what I had to do in order to provide the best for my cham.

It is best to try and come up with some kind of drainage system for the cham. Have the cage up off the floor so that the water can be drained into a bucket or something that you can empty daily.
 
I have a 4x4x6 screen cage with a plastic floor. Thanks for the reply and you made a really good point for me. Re-evaluating my plan, I think the rocks would make it harder to clean seeing to it that if i have a drip system or basic misting where water would drop onto the bark, it would actually spread the fecal matter and bacteria into the lower layer of the bedding. I guess I just thought it would be nice and beneficial at the same time to have the cage look and feel more of a natural habitat rather than an enclosure.
 
If you want it to be more natural then I think most of the people would recommend adding more live plants. In the wild Chams stay in the tops of the trees all the time so they aren't used to having anything under them anyway.

Someone on here put it very clearly a short time ago:

Chameleon's Health > Pretty Cage .... or something like that!
 
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