drinking question?

[carol5208]

Do any of you ever see your chams NOt drink? I have had mine for about 5 mos now and up until about 5 days ago I had always seen him drink. In the morning i usually take him out on the patio for some morning sun and mist the tree he goes in. He would occasionaly open his mouth to get some water but not any more. I have a dripper going all day in the cage and also mist it about 4 times a day. I have always seen him at one time or another drinking off a branch or something. I am not home all day, (I work part time) and am in and out. He pooped yesterday and his urate was white so he's gotta be drinking right? How long can they go without drinking. He looks fine, eats great and is very active. His eyes are not sunken in or anything. It is just strange that for about a week now i have not seen him drink? Anyone else have this happen to them? Replies would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[jannb]

I use a dropper to give my chameleons water. It's amazing how much they drink. My daughter uses a baster to water hers. Look at the video of Luie drinking below. I don't know how a cham could ever get enought water from licking the leaves....even after I stopped recording Luie continued to drink. If you try this it's very important to dip the water very slowly.....too much water too fast could cause him to aspirate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RUOI09JWHw

 

[carol5208]

Oh my gosh! That is so cute Jann! I am just worried that he is not drinking enough even thought his urate looks fine. It is just weird how he quit drinking in front of me! Thanks for the tip. I have a eye dropper and will give it a try and I will be very careful just to see if he will try it. thank you!

 

[Julirs]

Some chameleons can be very secretive drinkers. I do not drip any of my herd, and I mist them twice a day. Some lick the leaves, some drink as I mist them, and some drink directly out of the spray bottles like my Mellers-spolled little monsters! They seem to know what they need.

 

[carol5208]

Well Jann I tried it and he did not want anything to do with it! But maybe if I keep trying! did Luie take to it right away?

 

[jannb]

Well Jann I tried it and he did not want anything to do with it! But maybe if I keep trying! did Luie take to it right away?

Sometimes at first you have to drop the water on them for awhile to get them in the drinking mood. Now my guys are ready as soon as the see the dropper coming. Most of the babies would also drink this way and most of the new keepers still offer them water this way. Even though I use the dropper I still mist them two or three times a day and they also all have a dripper. In my opinion you can never offer them too much water and it always makes me feel better to see them drinking so I'll know they are getting enough.

 

[carol5208]

I agree with you! I WANT to see them drinking. He just pooped and the urate was white so I guess I am worrying about nothing!!!!

 

[jannb]

I agree with you! I WANT to see them drinking. He just pooped and the urate was white so I guess I am worrying about nothing!!!!

As long as the urate is white he's hydrated but in my opintion the dropper is still a good idea.

 

[carol5208]

Jann, I know this might sound crazy but I have recently been feeding him silkworks (due to the cricket strike, although he ate 4 today and would not touch them yesterday) I know the silkworms are very soft and could there be liquid in them that he could be getting any hyration from? Just a thought.....

 

[jannb]

Jann, I know this might sound crazy but I have recently been feeding him silkworks (due to the cricket strike, although he ate 4 today and would not touch them yesterday) I know the silkworms are very soft and could there be liquid in them that he could be getting any hyration from? Just a thought.....

Yes, the silkworm all allot of hydration. They are excellent feeders.