Baby Panther Not Liking The Idea Of Water

[birthnugget]

One week ago yesterday, I bought a baby Panther Chameleon from Kammerflage Kreations named Louie. I'm not sure if this is even relevant, but he's a Nosy Be Panther. He's settled into his enclosure pretty nicely, still a bit anxious, but he now accepts hand-fed crickets, so that's good. When it comes to drinking however, he does not like to get wet. I mist his cage like 10 times a day due to the extreme low humidity where I live in VA (seriously, I'll spray the entire enclosure until its dripping, and it only stays wet for 20 minutes its crazy) When I mist however, if he ever gets wet, he gets all moody. I spritzed him today in an extremely gentle fashion, and he immediately bucked up and turned around. I know he's not dehydrated (white urate), but I'm worried because normally chams like humid, and this is not having it. The water was lukewarm, and on a fine mist setting.

Other than that, he's kind of dull colors most of the time. He turns to his normal blues, blacks, and whites occasionally, but most of the time is greyish with blue spots of leopard print on his sides. I think I saw him laying down on a branch today, but his eyes were open. I know that chams change colors to absorb heat more efficiently, especially now that there is a snow-pocalypse outside, but is this out of the norm? Any and all advice is appreciated greatly by both me and Louie!

 

[jpowell86]

I feel it is very normal to see this behavior in chameleons...especially when they are young. I feel the issue is that when they are young and still settling in to their environment they are alert and always on guard. When he sees you approach his enclosure, this response is heightened. So in his mind, he is on defense against you(and all outside stressors that may be new to him in his new home), and all of the sudden he feels the water hit him on his body. I don't think they distinguish what is water touching them and what could be a dangerous touch from something else.....not at first anyways.

Even when automated misting systems are placed in enclosures it warrants this response. I have seen chameleons puff up defensively when the misters kick on...and it can take literal minutes before the water triggers a drinking response.

So, I really don't think this behavior can be totally avoided. I would try my best to mist his surroundings and not him. What is the humidity averaging at in his enclosure?

 

[birthnugget]

I feel it is very normal to see this behavior in chameleons...especially when they are young. I feel the issue is that when they are young and still settling in to their environment they are alert and always on guard. When he sees you approach his enclosure, this response is heightened. So in his mind, he is on defense against you(and all outside stressors that may be new to him in his new home), and all of the sudden he feels the water hit him on his body. I don't think they distinguish what is water touching them and what could be a dangerous touch from something else.....not at first anyways.

Even when automated misting systems are placed in enclosures it warrants this response. I have seen chameleons puff up defensively when the misters kick on...and it can take literal minutes before the water triggers a drinking response.

So, I really don't think this behavior can be totally avoided. I would try my best to mist his surroundings and not him. What is the humidity averaging at in his enclosure?

Usually about 65-75% humidity. I usually mist around him, but then I read about things like the 'Shower Method' and people setting their chams in small tubs of water and I worry. I really just want the best for him, like any other owner would. Thank you for your response!

 

[jpowell86]

Usually about 65-75% humidity. I usually mist around him, but then I read about things like the 'Shower Method' and people setting their chams in small tubs of water and I worry. I really just want the best for him, like any other owner would. Thank you for your response!

Don't worry. Sitting your chameleon in a tub of water is terribly stressful on your chameleon and it holds no benefits. People saying that chameleons can absorb water through the cloaca and skin is completely false. Showering your chameleon is a great tool for hydration purposes. But, even in the shower method, you don't point the water directly at the chameleon. You aim the water at the wall. It is the mist and increased humidity that really helps in the situation. Plus, when they are in the shower, the temperature is maintained over a long period of time, whereas misting leaves the chameleon wet and the temperatures can be cooled.

Your humidity is fantastic, especially since there is a "snow-pocalypse" outside, Lol. Keeping the misting up coupled with the humidity stated....Louie will be just fine!
But, to me, you worrying just means you care...so that's a good thing too!

 

[Clint526]

Try spraying with warm water in the bottle, my ambilobe gets pissed if sprayed directly unless it's warm. Then my male will come right up to the bottle to drink as I spray.

 

[Leo Chance]

I always am pleased to see how concerned people are about their chameleons. Our panthers acted defensive when we sprayed them when they were young. Warm water sprayed into the air above the cage, so that it settles on them seems to please them. Also your panther may be licking the leaves when you are not around.

 

[NERVOUS]

For what it's worth, my Chameleon reacts the same way to misting... Hopefully, he'll get more comfortable with time (and age).