Basic info on Misting and fogging...

Of course, all animals require water to survive, and it isn't as simple as placing a bowl in the bottom and calling it a day. In fact, with most chameleons this will have little, if any benefit. Most chain pet stores display their chameleons with a water bowl, and this can be misleading to the new keeper. As with the display of any animals in stores, they are in temporary enclosures that do not reflect the optimal conditions for success. I warn against using waterfalls and fountains in enclosures for a few reasons. The main reason is that it is difficult to keep them clean and one word of advise I have for you is to make your enclosures easy to clean! These water sources can be good to help maintain humidity, but can also make it difficult to control. Feeders can drop into them and die, fecal matter can contaminate it and bacteria can thrive here. Misting is the way to go to provide for your chameleons hydration needs!

A common question is how much water is required and what type is best. The answer isn't always simple and the best method is going to vary depending on the type and size of chameleon. This blog entry should give some clarity to the debate, and likely cause some new ones :D, so I hope it helps.

First thing's first... the link to the forums resource on hydration... https://www.chameleonforums.com/care/water/

The first thing I am going to ask is what are the conditions in the wild where these animals are found? Many are in rain forest areas that may have abundant moisture most of the time, but even in these diverse ecosystems there isn't one simple answer. Some areas receive more rain than others and animals may need to depend more on dew forming in the morning than actual rain. Some chameleons actually thrive in almost arid conditions and will get their hydration mainly through their prey and vegetation. So as you can see there is no one-size-fits-all answer to explain the requirements.

Generally speaking if you provide water droplets on leaves this will be a great source of hydration. Many do this with hand held misting bottles (pressurized ones are best!), and while this is definitely a good start, many find that it is not as easy to keep your chameleons hydrated this way. It can be nearly impossible if you are working or in school to be around when your chameleon is active. That is one of the reasons many will recommend an automated misting system. You can easily find them available through some of the site sponsors here on the forums and if you do a keyword search you will find lots of info and debate on the best. I will suggest you research first so you do not make the same mistakes that countless others (including myself) have made. Just look how many complaints there are about one of the most readily available systems found at many pet stores :eek:. Although there are other alternatives, I use a MistKing system http://mistking.com/ . I am able to program multiple sessions of varied duration to provide water for my enclosures. Some chameleons need misting sessions of many minutes before they will even start drinking, and some suggest that there is also a visual stimulus to consider, so you may need to experiment with varied routines. You can even try a quick mist followed by a prolonged mist to see if this entices your chameleon to drink. This is not to say that chameleons need this stimulation to drink, but in captivity it can help. Many never actually see their chameleons drinking and have to keep a watchful eye on urate color, sunken eye turrets, folds of skin and other indicators to ensure proper requirements are being met.
IMG_1474.JPG

Of course the placement of the misting nozzles is important and you may have to experiment to find what works best.
198.jpg
Think about rain in nature. I don't suggest spraying (either manually or automated) your chameleon directly as this can cause the animal to turn and seek shelter and not drink. I suggest misting from above and many even use rain domes to get the desired effect. Another sometimes helpful tactic is to use a dripper that constantly provides droplets for your chameleon by slowly dripping water onto a leaf. If you use these methods, be sure to consider placement, drainage and plant soil when doing so.
dripper.jpg




So let's talk water...

There is a healthy debate about this and no one answer is necessarily right. I use distilled water for my misting, but mainly to avoid the misting nozzles clogging. Reverse osmosis, purified, tap, hard, soft... what is the best? If not using RO or distilled water I would suggest getting whatever source you are using tested to see if there are any bad chemicals to be concerned with. From there, again, there are many great threads here on the forums about water types.

Now what about plants? Live? Plastic? Silk??? I find that live plants seem to hold onto water droplets better. It just seems that they were designed to do so in many cases :). Just be aware that prolonged misting sessions can saturate soil quickly. As for silk, I find they tend to get soiled more easily and are harder to keep clean. Also they often have small decorations on them that are easily ingested, so use caution.

One more part of this topic I want to address is the use of humidifiers. I am not a big fan of these due to the same issues of keeping them clean. I have not used them in my enclosures and I'm sure that many have used them with success, but just make sure that if they are used to keep them cleaned often. I don't personally believe that using any humidifier can replace misting as the main source of hydration rather just as a supplemental one, but may in the right situation be beneficial in maintaining the proper humidity levels and aid partially with hydration.

I will advise that even after you have everything going exactly how you want it you still may want to experiment a bit as your chameleon ages. Their needs will likely change throughout their life just like ours will. Even different times of year will effect the needs within enclosures (or even when free-ranging). Also, your local water authority may change how they are doing things so you may want to check their water reporting every few years to see if there is anything that you should be concerned with. And I always recommend using more than one hygrometer in an enclosurer just to be on the safe side ;).

For those of you that keep your chameleons outside, there are so many other factors than are covered here, but hopefully I didn't forget anything major :rolleyes:.

Up Next: Foggers... Coming Soon...

As always, feel free to comment if you would like. If you have specific questions about the topic you may want to search the forums for answers and also post a new thread for quicker responses.


*** UPDATE *** Here's the link to the blog on Fogging...

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...s-through-the-fog-without-dispelling-it.2400/

Comments

Thanks for the info. How often do you think they need to drink each day? When I had my Cham, i had a dripper (plastic cup with tiny hole in the base) that I filled twice per day and it dripped for about an hour each time (at rate of about one drop per second). I saw her drink almost every day for several minutes. I also misted twice per day, mostly for humidity. Is that enough or do they need access to water more frequently than this? I hadn't thought about the type of water, so I appreciate that you raised that issue.
 
Thanks for the info. How often do you think they need to drink each day? When I had my Cham, i had a dripper (plastic cup with tiny hole in the base) that I filled twice per day and it dripped for about an hour each time (at rate of about one drop per second). I saw her drink almost every day for several minutes. I also misted twice per day, mostly for humidity. Is that enough or do they need access to water more frequently than this? I hadn't thought about the type of water, so I appreciate that you raised that issue.
So there isn't one exact answer to this. It will vary depending on the type of chameleon. Many think that extended misting sessions a few times a day are necessary for proper hydration. It can take some chameleons a long time to even start drinking and the misting session could be over before the first sip! My view is that as long as you are offering enough opportunities for your chameleons to drink if they want to then you should be OK.
 
Thanks for the info. How often do you think they need to drink each day? When I had my Cham, i had a dripper (plastic cup with tiny hole in the base) that I filled twice per day and it dripped for about an hour each time (at rate of about one drop per second). I saw her drink almost every day for several minutes. I also misted twice per day, mostly for humidity. Is that enough or do they need access to water more frequently than this? I hadn't thought about the type of water, so I appreciate that you raised that issue.
You just want to be sure to have good drainage, experiment a bit and try to maintain the range of humidity that your chameleon would see in their normal environment.
 
In the process of researching Fogging techniques now that I have my enclosure set up. I will be sharing the results soon!
 
I had several chams a few years ago and I use a monsoon system that I've owned for over 5 years and counting. I've never had any issues with it so I will continue to use it. In regards to watering I use my own rain dome system that I copied from Mistking, just a simple setup of 4 T valves, a couple of feet of tubing cut to size and a simple misting nozzle. The only difference is that I extended the space between the nozzle and the top of the cage by double if you have ever seen it in action. That extra space creates a larger area of effect for the mist/watering and makes a very noticable "rain drop" effect close to the center of the cage which falls directly into the umbrella plant hitting a large amount of leaves and catching the attention of my cham which induces him to drink if needed. I run that once per 90 minutes cycle for 2 minutes each cycle. I plan on doing so again once I decide on getting a new cham in the coming months.
 
Misting is not the uktimate way how to hydrate chameleons

chameleons drink in the captivity as a rule much more than in the wild.
Many chameleons have no access to liquid water for a vast majority of the year. Though, rhey are not dehydrated. And, they thrive.

their sourcenif wayer is fog of all kinds fromcery weam to very heavy.

in my 30+ years if field research and caltive experiments, I gained the absolute surenness, that the ultimate way how to hydrate chameleons IS fogging...

most opponents have never used it.
Most ignore or misinterprete rhe natural
Cycles
And their importance
For chameleons tk be simulated.
 
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Misting is not the uktimate way how to hydrate chameleons

chameleons drink in the captivity as a rule much more than in the wild.
Many chameleons have no access to liquid water for a vast majority of the year. Though, rhey are not dehydrated. And, they thrive.

their sourcenif wayer is fog of all kinds fromcery weam to very heavy.

in my 30+ years if field research and caltive experiments, I gained the absolute surenness, that the ultimate way how to hydrate chameleons IS fogging...

most opponents have never used it.
Most ignore or misinterprete rhe natural
Cycles
And their importance
For chameleons tk be simulated.


Petr, If you know me at all you will know that I am a fan of fogging in some instances. I am not, however a fan of absolutes when it comes to caring for these animals in captivity. I have had success without fogging and also with. Fogging is not the perfect solution for every keeper or situation.

The idea isn't to come here to the forums and tell us how we are always wrong or giving bad advice. No one wants to hear someone claim that their way is the only correct way to do things. That seems to be your only real agenda. I don't appreciate you always have bad things to say about the Chameleon Forums and the staff, not just here, but on other platforms as well. I defended this site once in our first interaction on Facebook and since that, I do not post there due to the realization that there is a definite bias against it.

Your content here on this forum, however, is definitely open for debate. I am one who loves good debates that remain constructive and on topic. We have had some great content about many aspects of husbandry here on the site over the years. It is what makes the forums such a great resource for all levels. There is no one absolute answer to keeping chameleons in captivity, and we are always trying to learn more.

There are quite a few debates over how safe the different types of fogging methods are and truth be told, we don't have all the right answers yet, not even you do.
 
I do not understand the meaning of the first two paragraphs, is is nothing I deal with and do not want tk get invilved in.
I do not know who you are

do I attack anyone saying someone does something wrong? NO

O just present my humble opinion, like everyone here, so please shout on me when I am offensive but treat me with respect when I behave.

the lroblem is, that the moderator cut off the most important part of the message, which was a reference to a source, where I paid lots of effort to publish the logic and investigations, I base my opinion upon.
I add it here again with the hope, censorship is not what is the policy of CF
 
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Peter, again, our first interaction was one where I referenced the Chameleon Forums caresheets and you attacked them as garbage. After I announced myself with full disclosure as a moderator on the forums you and I had a discussion that ultimately it was deleted. I have avoided interaction with you to prevent arguments. If you see my linked blog entry at the end of this one you can see that I am a supporter of fogging in the right circumstances.

In my opinion, your view is not a humble one. You call yourself the chameleon godfather. That is not very humble. I am not seeking you out and trying to discredit you. You come across as arrogant and all knowing. I don’t know it all, but do have opinions. They matter too. So do those with many years of experience keeping these amazing creatures.

Censorship is not my intention by removing you link. I did not look at it. It discredited my entire blog just by being there. I am the moderator who removed it. I don’t care if you agree or disagree. Again, you do not allow for any opinion other than your own.
 
Petr how can you constantly throw a fit when someone suggests chameleons are from arid regions and rant about their tropical environment and how much annual precipitation there is much higher than anyone thinks...and then turn around and say “ Many chameleons have no access to liquid water for a vast majority of the year”. How can it be both?
 
Peter, again, our first interaction was one where I referenced the Chameleon Forums caresheets and you attacked them as garbage. After I announced myself with full disclosure as a moderator on the forums you and I had a discussion that ultimately it was deleted. I have avoided interaction with you to prevent arguments. If you see my linked blog entry at the end of this one you can see that I am a supporter of fogging in the right circumstances.

In my opinion, your view is not a humble one. You call yourself the chameleon godfather. That is not very humble. I am not seeking you out and trying to discredit you. You come across as arrogant and all knowing. I don’t know it all, but do have opinions. They matter too. So do those with many years of experience keeping these amazing creatures.

Censorship is not my intention by removing you link. I did not look at it. It discredited my entire blog just by being there. I am the moderator who removed it. I don’t care if you agree or disagree. Again, you do not allow for any opinion other than your own.

so, the produvtive wirk of a moderator in CF is to do censorship and delete a link to published articles? Excellent.
I do not discredit you but this is a
Oractice from medieval and is fir nothing good.
you are biased by hate to myself because I dsre to jave an opinion. That is inferior
 
Petr how can you constantly throw a fit when someone suggests chameleons are from arid regions and rant about their tropical environment and how much annual precipitation there is much higher than anyone thinks...and then turn around and say “ Many chameleons have no access to liquid water for a vast majority of the year”. How can it be both?

it can easily be both
And I reder you to climatohrapjy very easily.

As an example letnus take the wxtreme case:
Chamaeleo namaquensis, whichnis exposed to climate with few rainy days in a year.
but thanks to the atlantic coast, it has fog every day ar night.
Whatch National Geofraphic easiest to find out.

if it comes to savannah soecies of chameleons such as C dilepis, C gracilis, C senegalensis, the oattern is oretr the same. No rain the most of the yesr, no drop of liquid water but almost all year round moist nights.

go to Afica and wxperience on own skin. You will wale up at 5AM totally wet due to dew. At sunraise all evaporates.
 
I don’t want this to get to a major debate, but again will say there is no one right answer to how we do things...

deleting links to published articles is disservice you do to the community, shame in you.
I apologize for all what I jave daone wrong for every single wird that was oerceived as offense but I do not apologize to diseespect you for that inferior and coaard way of censorship,
When I even did NOT attack you neitjer did ai say anytjing nad about anyone and about anyone’s idea
 
Petr how can you constantly throw a fit when someone suggests chameleons are from arid regions and rant about their tropical environment and how much annual precipitation there is much higher than anyone thinks...and then turn around and say “ Many chameleons have no access to liquid water for a vast majority of the year”. How can it be both?
Moreover, is soeaking about the Yemen chameleons, the precipitations are comcentrated in 5-6 most humid months, then, minths with no or very rare
And low precipitation follow.
I published charts in CF several times. I can not paste here.
It will
Anyway again ne aggressively delered by the envy moderator, somak will not post again
 
so, the produvtive wirk of a moderator in CF is to do censorship and delete a link to published articles? Excellent.
I do not discredit you but this is a
Oractice from medieval and is fir nothing good.
you are biased by hate to myself because I dsre to jave an opinion. That is inferior

No, this is my blog post and I am allowing your input. This is not a public forum. I have every right to just remove your posts here. I do not like to censor and that generally causes more issues than you could imagine.

You attack the moderators of this site whenever you do not agree, or more importantly when we do not bow down to your views. I will again ask if you even looked at the linked blog about Fogging. I’m sure it won’t be to your standards because I don’t quote you through the entire thing, but at least you will have to admit I am open to different ideas.

If you do not like how we do things here, I guess you have a decision to make. I also have a job to do. Don’t try to make this about the Moderators here. This is about you and your delivery of your one sided message. I have publicly deleted the link because it does not do anything but discredit the actual blog. You can spin this any way you want, but that is the case.

You are not the only source of information about care of chameleons. I am allowed to have an opinion. So are you. The issue here is that your opinion is NOT fact. Don’t come here, or any other platform saying your way is the only correct way. That, Petr, is the exact opposite of humble. That, in my opinion, is the true example of inferior.
 
deleting links to published articles is disservice you do to the community, shame in you.
I apologize for all what I jave daone wrong for every single wird that was oerceived as offense but I do not apologize to diseespect you for that inferior and coaard way of censorship,
When I even did NOT attack you neitjer did ai say anytjing nad about anyone and about anyone’s idea

No, deleting links to make my blog seem something that it is not would be a disservice. I openly told anyone who views the blog comments that I deleted your link. You do not apologize for anything you actually should be apologizing for. You do not play the victim very well. It is not believable. I will not sit by quietly any more. Do not try to pretend to be above us. You are just another person who has an opinion. That is all.

Do not try to come across as the one with the only correct answer. I will never accept only one answer to anything. We are always able to learn more. That includes me, and also you. You decide that what you have observed in the wild is the only way we should keep chameleons in captivity. That is not feasible for most keepers. It is also not OK for new keepers who need a foundation for success.

Stop playing the martyr.
 
No, this is my blog post and I am allowing your input. This is not a public forum. I have every right to just remove your posts here. I do not like to censor and that generally causes more issues than you could imagine.

You attack the moderators of this site whenever you do not agree, or more importantly when we do not bow down to your views. I will again ask if you even looked at the linked blog about Fogging. I’m sure it won’t be to your standards because I don’t quote you through the entire thing, but at least you will have to admit I am open to different ideas.

If you do not like how we do things here, I guess you have a decision to make. I also have a job to do. Don’t try to make this about the Moderators here. This is about you and your delivery of your one sided message. I have publicly deleted the link because it does not do anything but discredit the actual blog. You can spin this any way you want, but that is the case.

You are not the only source of information about care of chameleons. I am allowed to have an opinion. So are you. The issue here is that your opinion is NOT fact. Don’t come here, or any other platform saying your way is the only correct way. That, Petr, is the exact opposite of humble. That, in my opinion, is the true example of inferior.

your baye is pouring from
Every sentence you write here
I jabe not attacked anyone
I habe not discredited anyone
I have NEVER EVER said my way is the only way,
It is solely your coward,
Biassed and
misinterpretation of my words

deleting references is the lowest possible under waistline act,

you can not deny the fogging principle was nrought largely by myself to the hobby and your censorship is uhky and funny - yiu luckily can not make
Me silent

i work not for yiu but fir the good of xhameleons and himans, so do whatever yoj want if yij want yournrevenge for a kiddish game in the last a good
Man would forget and not
Culticate in the heart

delete what yiu want to make
Me
Foul

I have nothing to add
 

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