I need answers.....

[rei268]

what makes chameleons not want to drink water anymore?

Is there cages that are not good for chameleons?

I had a 2 foot by 2 foot wood and screen cage that we made and I had a jackson chameleon in it and she was fine for the first couple of weeks but then she started to not be as active and not wouldn't drink anymore. she slept all day. She was still green but I found her one the bottom of the floor and I couldn't save her.

I don't understand what happened.

I've had a male veiled for almost 2 years now and he is fine. Maybe the smaller chameleons are more difficult? I know it could be anything but I am just wondering what I could have done.

so cage? or how do I make a chameleon drink when they just aren't? How do you keep a chameleon active? Has this happened to anyone else??

thanks

 

[jojackson]

Its too vague a question to be able to answer without a ton more info mate. Could've been almost anything. Apparently jacksonii have lower temp requirements than veileds if im not mistaken, thats one possibility I suppose. I dont know weather it was CB or WC either.

As for drinking, misting seems to spark their intrest in it, but I have come to beleive good habits established early are best and a dripper that runs all day, so the animal can drink when it wants to is the best option. Placement of the dripper can make a big difference too, accessable from a regular basking spot Ive found to be good, and if it drips over the leaves of live plants all the better.
Some are fussy drinkers, wont drink while your there, or will only lap water from leaves, or only accept misting, or only a dripper.
Since hydration is so important, I prefer to provide all three options continuously throughout the day.

Gutloading food with moist fresh veg/fruit/greens is also just as important. This is the major source of moisture (other than rain or dew) for chams in the wild. Veileds are said to eat plants when insects are sparse or not avail, or in dry periods.
Correct gutloading goes along way toward ensuring your cham is hydrated.

 

[CleanLineChameleons]

Yea...the not drinking is the least of your problems. When a chameleon begins to sleep in the middle of the day then you are doing something wrong with the husbandry. He didn't drink because he was doing poorly. But JoJack is right, jacksons need it a little cooler and a lot more water than veileds. I would use a 60watt incandescent bulb for heat with lots of foliage and a dripper that drips on the plants most of the day.

I have told many beginners to stay away from any montane species, even the ones I was selling...they are harder and they go down hill quick so you have to know the signs. Bottom line, jacksons are not for any novice.

-chris

 

[Metric]

Jacksons have different needs then veileds do, but seeing as your a new member and you need some help try filling this out for BOTH your jacksons cage and your Veileds cage, you'll get a lot more insightful responses if you do.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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?

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.
Current Problem - The current problem that you are concerned about.

Pictures are helpful

 

[Jono]

What was the wood that the frame was made out of treated with? Possible water contamination from that?

 

[xanthoman]

once again not enough info , whenever i hear wooden cage i have to ask was the metal mesh galvanized, and did your cham drink off of it or climb on it frequently , galvanize is zinc, a heavy metal (toxic) and absorbable through the skin , especially when wet ,a common culprit in foot problems, also the green plastic coated hardware cloth is usually pvc (poly vinyl chloride) a little less subject to osmotic absorbsion, but highly toxic none the less, a good thing to keep in mind when building screen cages. in such a cage try to discourage climbing on or drinking from the wire, a better choice for home built cages is powder coated wire but it is expensive and approaches or exceeds the cost of stainless, both are non toxic and both are available from TWP , a metal specialties place specializing in all things wire mesh, / the two main reasons for building your own cage are cost and design , but what are you really saving if your cage is toxic in order to save $. if cost is the issue then use black plastic PE MESH (POLY ETHELENE) IT IS FAR LESS TOXIC THAN ZINC OR PVC, also you have to consider the wood frame, what kind of wood is it and what is it treated with , and if it is not treated with something it is subject to toxic mold/mildew problems, also pressure treated lumber is impregnated with CCA (COPPER CHROMIUM ARSENATE) AND HIGHLY TOXIC JUST BEING AROUND IT IS ENOUGH TO MAKE A CHAM SICK , MY SUGGESTION ; SAVE MONEY , BUY A COMMERCIAL BUILT ALUMINUM SCREEN CAGE THAT WONT KILL YOUR CHAMS AND LEAVE CAGE BUILDING TO THE EXPERTS (OR UNTIL YOU HAVE TOUGHT OUT BETTER DESIGN AND MATERIALS) THE CHEAPEST WAY IS OFTEN THE MOST EXPENSIVE, IF YOU LOST YOUR CHAM BECAUSE OF YOUR CAGE THEN HOW MUCH MONEY DID YOU SAVE ?

 

[xanthoman]

Yea...the not drinking is the least of your problems. When a chameleon begins to sleep in the middle of the day then you are doing something wrong with the husbandry. He didn't drink because he was doing poorly. But JoJack is right, jacksons need it a little cooler and a lot more water than veileds. I would use a 60watt incandescent bulb for heat with lots of foliage and a dripper that drips on the plants most of the day.

I have told many beginners to stay away from any montane species, even the ones I was selling...they are harder and they go down hill quick so you have to know the signs. Bottom line, jacksons are not for any novice.

-chris

THANK YOU, finally a voice of reason !

 

[nick barta]

PLEASE fill out the form as requested.

Nick

 

[kinyonga]

I would suggest you take it to the vet ASAP.