Enough water from Food items?

[Lunirra]

Hey guys. New Cham owner here and I just had a question about water for Chams. I mist the enclosure twice daily and also have a DIY dripper for her as well that goes all day. I have only ever seen her drink once since getting her over a week ago. Her enclosure is in the living room as well and I'm home all day so I get to watch her most of the day. She isn't dehydrated or anything like that, she is actually gaining weight and just finished a shed.
My question is this: Do chams get most of their water from their food?
She gets crickets and meal worms, gut loaded, hydrated and dusted of course. I take very good care of my crickets, they have their own glass terrarium to themselves. First thing I do when getting new crickets from a pet store is give them water. I wet and ring out a piece of paper towel and put it in the bag with them and leave them for an hr. The poor things are dying from thirst every time I get them. Then they are placed in the terrarium with the food and other crickets. They are fed a diet of moist collards greens, carrots and strawberries. Fish flakes and high quality dog kibble is given for protein as well. The meal worms are given a similar diet. Since my crickets and worms are very well hydrated, does she get most of her water from them you think? She has just never had any interest in misting or the dripper. Thanks guys

 

[nick barta]

There may be exceptions, but most chameleons who do not drink will show the signs of dehydration; sunken eyes and yellow/orange urates.
My guess is if both those look good, the chameleon is drinking when you are not looking.

CHEERS!

Nick

 

[Lunirra]

Her urates are white as usual. My thoughts too, either she is drinking when I'm not looking or that's y i was asking if her food would have enough water to keep her hydrated. Thanks.

 

[Lathis]

She is drinking - you don't see it There is not enough moisture in feeder insects to sustain a chameleon. Keep an eye on her urates - you want them to be bright white or cream. Little orange dots at one end is okay. Any yellow or orange color means she is not getting enough water.

Another note, you should consider removing the dog food and fish flakes from your gutload. These items are very high in protein, and too much protein leads to gout and organ problems for chameleons. A gut load of fresh veggies and fruits is good, plus you can supplement in an engineered bug food like Cricket Crack or Bug Burger.

 

[mvad]

I've had my male veiled for 3.5 months and have seen him actively drinking 1 time (I will admit I was elated when I saw it.) His urates are always white or cream so he must be drinking. When he's in shed mode I additionally mist with warm water. I see him licking his lips but it's quick and sneaky. He, like other chameleons, must be a shy drinker. He is currently attending meetings with like chameleons to help with this issue.

 

[mhfan305]

She is drinking - you don't see it There is not enough moisture in feeder insects to sustain a chameleon. Keep an eye on her urates - you want them to be bright white or cream. Little orange dots at one end is okay. Any yellow or orange color means she is not getting enough water.

Another note, you should consider removing the dog food and fish flakes from your gutload. These items are very high in protein, and too much protein leads to gout and organ problems for chameleons. A gut load of fresh veggies and fruits is good, plus you can supplement in an engineered bug food like Cricket Crack or Bug Burger.

Wait so just feeding the crickets cricket crack isn't enough? You have to feed them fresh veggies? Won't that overload the crickets with nutrients? Cricket crack should be healthy enough...

 

[Lunirra]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Bush baby]

Wait so just feeding the crickets cricket crack isn't enough? You have to feed them fresh veggies? Won't that overload the crickets with nutrients? Cricket crack should be healthy enough...

Cricket crack is good as a dry part of a crickets diet, but just like humans, they need moisture in their diet which is why we give them carrots, dark green leafy vegetables, oranges, etc.

So in short, Cricket crack alone is NOT enough.