Drinking from floor?!

[Regnad]

My 10-month-old Panther, Stan, has taken to hanging upside down on the plant stand legs closely facing the floor and sometimes drinking from there. Apart from that, and eating a lot less, he seems fine.

The cage floor is a 2'x2' sheet of white plastic which I keep pretty clean. The mister goes off 4 times a day for about 3-7 minutes each time.

Poops look good but infrequent.

Should I be worried? The first thing I think is that he is not getting enough water from the leaves but there is plenty there. The ficus plant has been changed recently and this did not change the behavior.

Thanks for any suggestions/advice...

 

[chambabysitter1]

What do his urates look like?

I've caught my female doing this a few times. Try supplementing a plant with broad leaves like a pothos. They hold water well and perhaps with a long enough misting it will draw his eye.

Dripper placement might help too. Try putting it very near his basking spot, since he hangs out there the most, chances are he'll drink from there the most.

Anyways, if he doesn't stop, as long as the floor is clean it probably isn't a big deal.

 

[sandrachameleon]

... as long as the floor is clean it probably isn't a big deal.

I agree with what Chambabysitter said.

 

[Regnad]

Thanks for the help, turns out that today he's up top and roaming around. Still eating a lot less but all signs are of good health.

Oh, urates are quite white and everything looks well-digested. 17 days between last poops, though, but they're big.

 

[heloderm]

I had a male veiled that would do this, haven't seen any of the panthers do it.

John

 

[jojackson]

More readily avail water will pool up on the plastic sheet than will remain on leaves for any length of time. Your lizard is growing, and likewise its water requirements, I think it's
just taking the easiest route.

While you may keep the floor clean, it is the place poo ends up. It might be worth considering an alternate clean source, such as a dripper.


Edit: Spot on Chamsitter