Am I misting correctly.

[mattlopez328]

I mist my chameleon often throughout the day because i am on summer. I see him drink off the leaves after. Im just wondering, how long should i be misting at one time and how often is it called for. Last, is a drip system needed for my panther chameleon. Thanks in advance for your replies. ,

Also I was wondering what i could use instead of substrate due to my chameleon ingesting it during her hunt for crickets.

 

[carol5208]

Drippers are great if you are not going to be around and provide constant opportunity for hydration. i would mist like 3 times a day or so for about 3-5 minutes and get the cage drenched. This is good for humidity and of course for your cham to drink. As long as you see him drink from the mistings, you don't really have to have a dripper. Mine does not drink from mistings, so I have to use a dripper.

 

[mattlopez328]

another question, my chameleon ingested some substrate (forest floor bedding 100% cypress mulch is what the bag says.) is there a way i can prevent it because i have read that this can be a problem.

 

[camimom]

another question, my chameleon ingested some substrate (forest floor bedding 100% cypress mulch is what the bag says.) is there a way i can prevent it because i have read that this can be a problem.

take it out. u dont need it.

 

[mattlopez328]

should i put something else on the bottom of the cage. ? i heard that it helps humidity any suggestions?

 

[sauer]

you can use clean washclothes/hand towels. i recommend having 5-10 on hand (depending on how often you do laundry). just lay a couple on the bottom of tank, they will help hold humidity, gather water, & are far too big and heavy for your cham to try to ingest. however, i suggest changing them out AT LEAST every other day. with all that water holding up in there, you are bound to get some mold or bacteria if you just let them sit.

 

[mattlopez328]

do you think she will be fine after ingesting the substrate?

 

[camimom]

do you think she will be fine after ingesting the substrate?

Keep an eye out for poops. if they seem to be coming normally, she will be fine. I havent heard the washcloth thing, but try papertowels. If you take out the substrate and your humidity level doesnt sit where you want it, try putting plastic shower curtain pieces on 2 or 3 sides of your screen cage. This helps hold humidty in.

If she starts to look bloated, and she hasnt pooped in a while, I would suggest a vet visit as she may have a blockage.

 

[carol5208]

Not to contradict what the other member said but I wouldn't use paper towels either. I think it was Hoj, one of our members, had his cham get a mouth full of paper towel one day shooting for a cricket or something. Just leave it bare, or you can put a towel down. Me, I would change the towel everyday, not everyother as they will get nasty in one day being all soaking wet. just my opinion on what I would do. Matt, sorry about your cham injesting the substrate, hope he will be ok.

 

[mattlopez328]

one more question lol. My female panther chameleon usually has her tail curled like when shes just "chilling"/basking. Is this normal?

 

[mattlopez328]

i replaced all of the substrate with wash cloths, just waiting to see if she poops, hopefully she does and she will be fine.

 

[Justin Ward]

Not to contradict what the other member said but I wouldn't use paper towels either. I think it was Hoj, one of our members, had his cham get a mouth full of paper towel one day shooting for a cricket or something. Just leave it bare, or you can put a towel down. Me, I would change the towel everyday, not everyother as they will get nasty in one day being all soaking wet. just my opinion on what I would do. Matt, sorry about your cham injesting the substrate, hope he will be ok.

it was on of Hoj's chams Carol, however, i use paper towels in a few of my chams cages for easier clean up as they are in reptariums and have that screen base...i monitor my chams often and have never seen them even attempt to eat any food off the bottom of their cage, but for safety reasons, bare is best