Help! Chameleons can't seem to figure out where the water is!

[Slamantia]

I have two recently acquired (may 4th) panther chameleons in the classic black screen tanks, plenty of hiding places in the leaves, temperatures are all good, they're eating fine

But they can't seem to figure out where to get water. I have a homemade drop system made with a tub of water and IV tubing, and it drips from in between the leaves in an area they spend the most time in in each of the two cages. It drops about every 8-10 seconds into a big flat green bowl. I'll try to attach some pictures.

I know they're thirsty because whenever I spray, they run over to the wet bits and lick the branches, but they aren't actually getting any water. They seem really interested in the dripping water, but they don't notice the end of the tube where it drips from, and they're uncertain about the bowls. Maybe the water doesn't ripple often enough?

I took a dropper and found out they'd drink directly from the dropper with my hand in their tank, which was about 2 days ago, when I discovered they weren't drinking. They won't drink from the dropper now, but will lick water off the ceiling sometimes if I drip it through the mesh.

Any ideas? How do I spot signs of dangerous dehydration?
If it persists, what should I try?

 

[Baksmurf]

Welcome to chameleon community. You have come to the right place for information.

If you could fill out this information it would help out a great deal for the forum members.

Chameleon Info:
Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.

Cage Info:
Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?

Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.

 

[deathdealer91]

Have you tried spraying with a spray bottle. that's how i do my veiled cham.

 

[oblgobl]

Strange that they try and drink off the branches when you spray them instead of the leaves like most do. What kind of plant is it perhaps it doesn't hold the water well enough. Some chams will drink directly from the spray bottle but you'd have to be careful to spray it really gently. You could try moving the dripper around see if they react to it in a diferent location. Earliest sign of dehydration is yellow urates but it's not dangerous at that point their eyes and head pads will start to sink in if it starts getting bad. When you spray their enclouse make sure on the first and last mist of the day to make the misting extra long so everything in the enclouser drips with water, usually seeing the droplets triggers them to drink. A picture of the setup will be really useful aswel.

 

[carol5208]

Have it drip every second, like drip,drip,drip....8-10is spread too far apart to stimulate their drinking in my opinion

 

[Juliaf3]

Have it drip every second, like drip,drip,drip....8-10is spread too far apart to stimulate their drinking in my opinion

I agree with carol.