Misting schedule
- Thread starter AFH
- Start date
Dave Weldon
Avid Member
Howdy Mary,
For those keepers who can be around to mist, I like the hand pump-up units such as the two on the left. You can get them for about $7 at places like Home Depot. Use 100F-120F temp water for a nice mist/shower.
http://rlflomaster.com/sprayers/hand.htm
chelshart25
New Member
i have 3 young panthers and I have a timer that turns on and off the misting system three times a day but the timer runs for an hour. I make sure there is 3-4 hours between each misting so it has time to dry. Is that ok or is it too long?
Trace
Captain Awesome
Does anyone account for daily and/or seasonal variations in their misting regime? In the grand scheme of things, the chameleons we work with, even the ubiquitous pardalis are not that many generations removed from the wild. Why not try to simulate the rainfall and humidity they would receive there? Many, many species of chameleons have marked wet and dry cycles and IMHO these species need those cycles to remain healthy and signal breeding.
I do, and have to, account for seasons with my animals so my schedule changes drastically over the course of a year.
Cheers,
t
I do, and have to, account for seasons with my animals so my schedule changes drastically over the course of a year.
Cheers,
t
AFH
Avid Member
Ahh, more food for thought. I do adjust my light schedule for the seasons, though my home light range goes a little longer and then shorter than Madagascar and even Yemen (though not as much).
So Trace, what would you recommend as a wet season schedule and a dry season schedule for a panther and a veiled? Would it matter when I created a 'dry' season or a 'wet' season. And while you're at it, what's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
So Trace, what would you recommend as a wet season schedule and a dry season schedule for a panther and a veiled? Would it matter when I created a 'dry' season or a 'wet' season. And while you're at it, what's the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?
Trace
Captain Awesome
Simply (the articles I'm writing about the bitaeniatus and other montanes go into this in greater detail):
June - August: One 15 minute misting session after true sun rise and before lights on. 0745-0800hrs. This simulates the morning dew. Humidifier on only at night (12 hours). Daily to every other day feedings.
September - December: One 15 minute misting session after true sun rise and before lights on. 0745-0800hrs. This simulates the morning dew. Add a mist session in afternoon to simulate late day thunder/rain showers. 1645-1700hrs. Increase humidifier length to 18 hours. Every other day to feedings. Most keepers notice a natural decrease in appetite in the late fall.
January - May: One 15 minute misting session after true sun rise and before lights on. 0745-0800hrs. This simulates the morning dew. A mist session at midday 1200-1205. A mist session in afternoon to simulate late day thunder/rain showers. 1645-1700hrs. Humidifier on 24/7. Daily feedings. Most keepers notice a natural increase in appetite come spring. This extra water, humidity and available food cues my seasonal montanes to breed.
My lights, which are on timers, get adjusted to the seasonal light changes as they occur; so my on/off times change almost monthly. Maybe bi-monthly? I also make slight adjustments to humidifier and mist system times so the changes I said above aren't quite so jarring to my critters.
Your calyptratus does not have quite the extreme seasons as my montanes, but there are warm/dry and cool/wet cycles that happen in Yemen that coincide with our North American cycles. I wouldn't necessarily use the same regime as I do, but you said it yourself in that you've seen the naturally occurring cycles (appetite, sleep for instance) so why not adjust for things that are naturally hardwired in our animals? I let them tell me what they want or need and then supply it for them. Now I sound like the bloody cham whisperer. :/
As for the pardalis... which locale? I think the west coast gets more rain than the east in general (someone correct me if I'm wrong!) so does anyone account for that - or is that just too anal-retentive? Maybe we would see more successes in breeding some of the locales (i.e. Nosy Be, Ankaramy) if we paid more attention to that?!?! Seriously though, Madagascar's seasons are opposite to us, but again having the natural light and temperature cues of the northern hemisphere, they naturally switch over to the cycle set above.
Don't get me started on the need for high humidity for ALL chameleons.
Cheers,
t
Post scriptum: What do you mean; an African or European Swallow?
June - August: One 15 minute misting session after true sun rise and before lights on. 0745-0800hrs. This simulates the morning dew. Humidifier on only at night (12 hours). Daily to every other day feedings.
September - December: One 15 minute misting session after true sun rise and before lights on. 0745-0800hrs. This simulates the morning dew. Add a mist session in afternoon to simulate late day thunder/rain showers. 1645-1700hrs. Increase humidifier length to 18 hours. Every other day to feedings. Most keepers notice a natural decrease in appetite in the late fall.
January - May: One 15 minute misting session after true sun rise and before lights on. 0745-0800hrs. This simulates the morning dew. A mist session at midday 1200-1205. A mist session in afternoon to simulate late day thunder/rain showers. 1645-1700hrs. Humidifier on 24/7. Daily feedings. Most keepers notice a natural increase in appetite come spring. This extra water, humidity and available food cues my seasonal montanes to breed.
My lights, which are on timers, get adjusted to the seasonal light changes as they occur; so my on/off times change almost monthly. Maybe bi-monthly? I also make slight adjustments to humidifier and mist system times so the changes I said above aren't quite so jarring to my critters.
Your calyptratus does not have quite the extreme seasons as my montanes, but there are warm/dry and cool/wet cycles that happen in Yemen that coincide with our North American cycles. I wouldn't necessarily use the same regime as I do, but you said it yourself in that you've seen the naturally occurring cycles (appetite, sleep for instance) so why not adjust for things that are naturally hardwired in our animals? I let them tell me what they want or need and then supply it for them. Now I sound like the bloody cham whisperer. :/
As for the pardalis... which locale? I think the west coast gets more rain than the east in general (someone correct me if I'm wrong!) so does anyone account for that - or is that just too anal-retentive? Maybe we would see more successes in breeding some of the locales (i.e. Nosy Be, Ankaramy) if we paid more attention to that?!?! Seriously though, Madagascar's seasons are opposite to us, but again having the natural light and temperature cues of the northern hemisphere, they naturally switch over to the cycle set above.
Don't get me started on the need for high humidity for ALL chameleons.
Cheers,
t
Post scriptum: What do you mean; an African or European Swallow?
mczoo
Avid Member
I have a follow up ? to Trace or anyone else. your misting schedule is noted but what are your regular humidity readings? i find if i misted like you i would only be in the 50's for humidity or less especially when my furnace is running.
Do i misunderstand the purpose of misting and the effect of humidity on hydration. Obviously i mist and my jacksonni (Dino) drinks once or twice daily. more often when my humidity is low 50-60% she will drink agressively on the rare occurance when my humidity is good 75+% she ignores my misting on most occasions. This makes sense to me only when i consider something i read about chameleons and ability to increase hydration by breathing in the humidity. Considering most creature i know with lungs need some ambient humidity not to dehyrate and rapid respiration in a dry humidity causes dehydration may it be possible to only consider misting frequency when humidity is held constant.......or am i just crazy...:
Sean
Do i misunderstand the purpose of misting and the effect of humidity on hydration. Obviously i mist and my jacksonni (Dino) drinks once or twice daily. more often when my humidity is low 50-60% she will drink agressively on the rare occurance when my humidity is good 75+% she ignores my misting on most occasions. This makes sense to me only when i consider something i read about chameleons and ability to increase hydration by breathing in the humidity. Considering most creature i know with lungs need some ambient humidity not to dehyrate and rapid respiration in a dry humidity causes dehydration may it be possible to only consider misting frequency when humidity is held constant.......or am i just crazy...:
Sean
Trace
Captain Awesome
Ah, I neglected to mention I have an enclosed chameleons only room. With that I am better able to simulate the seasons and keep the all important humidity where it should be. Surprisingly I do not have a huge change in humidity levels over the course of a year. In the summer months overnights it's 90-100% and maybe 70% during the day. During the critical early spring months, it's 100% almost 24/7.
Do I see my chameleons drink? Almost never. Are they hydrated? You bet. Does it prove that humidity is crucial for hydration? Probably not but it has for my animals.
As for the articles; like most things in my life these days, are a work in progress. :/ Dang this full time work cutting into my private life!
Cheers,
t
Post scriptum: Sean; you are crazy!
Do I see my chameleons drink? Almost never. Are they hydrated? You bet. Does it prove that humidity is crucial for hydration? Probably not but it has for my animals.
As for the articles; like most things in my life these days, are a work in progress. :/ Dang this full time work cutting into my private life!
Cheers,
t
Post scriptum: Sean; you are crazy!
Justin Carl
Avid Member
I got something for you guys that water the crap out of your Vieleds.
Here is my scheduel for my adult male Vieled.
Let me mention he is outside 24/7 now.
Before I go to work in the morning I turn the hose on for about 2-5 minutes, it depends on if I'm running late or not, and just give him one good soaking.
The hose is set so a fine mist comes out.
It is not comparable to an automated mister, but it does get the job done.
I have it so the nozel is jammed into a tree branch and points at his cage.
I'll post a picture tomorrow.
Here is my scheduel for my adult male Vieled.
Let me mention he is outside 24/7 now.
Before I go to work in the morning I turn the hose on for about 2-5 minutes, it depends on if I'm running late or not, and just give him one good soaking.
The hose is set so a fine mist comes out.
It is not comparable to an automated mister, but it does get the job done.
I have it so the nozel is jammed into a tree branch and points at his cage.
I'll post a picture tomorrow.
Justin Carl
Avid Member
Yes, that is true, but how important is high humidity to a Vieled?
I have seen several changes in my vieleds behavior since he was moved outside.
Some where good and others were not so good.
Since he has been outside his appetite has picked up a little and he has also started putting on weight.
The appetite "pick up" is still only two supers per day, but I guess that would be enough in the wild.
It also looks like his sheding is becoming a little easier.
It still takes about a month to complete a full shed, but it's coming off easier.
The bad side I wouldnt consider to be negative, but he is "wild" now.
When he was inside he wouldnt hide from you when you approached the cage.
Now he turns and tries to hide behind branches, and is way more aggresive.
It's not uncommon for him to bite me several times when I pull him out of the cage.
When I do get him out he wants to jump out of my hand, and has several times.
Now when I want to take him out I have to remove the plants from his cage one at a time.
It was never this hard when he was in my bedroom and I was a common sight.
Sorry, I got a little off topic.
I have seen several changes in my vieleds behavior since he was moved outside.
Some where good and others were not so good.
Since he has been outside his appetite has picked up a little and he has also started putting on weight.
The appetite "pick up" is still only two supers per day, but I guess that would be enough in the wild.
It also looks like his sheding is becoming a little easier.
It still takes about a month to complete a full shed, but it's coming off easier.
The bad side I wouldnt consider to be negative, but he is "wild" now.
When he was inside he wouldnt hide from you when you approached the cage.
Now he turns and tries to hide behind branches, and is way more aggresive.
It's not uncommon for him to bite me several times when I pull him out of the cage.
When I do get him out he wants to jump out of my hand, and has several times.
Now when I want to take him out I have to remove the plants from his cage one at a time.
It was never this hard when he was in my bedroom and I was a common sight.
Sorry, I got a little off topic.
Trace
Captain Awesome
Just for the sake of arguement, currently in Yemen it is:
83% humidity in Aden
84% humidity in Al-Ghaidah
68% humidity in Riyan
Are those not considered high?
T!
Justin Carl
Avid Member
Touche'
I didnt expect it to be that high, but humidity does go up at night.
I guess I'm looking good, because it is 72% where I live.
I wonder what it is during the middle of the day?
I didnt expect it to be that high, but humidity does go up at night.
I guess I'm looking good, because it is 72% where I live.
I wonder what it is during the middle of the day?
summoner12
Avid Member
I mist 7 times during the day. My first is at 6am the last is 3pm. I like to give my cages a good amount of time to dry out. My first two mistings are 10 minute sessions and the next four mistings are 5 minute and the final misting at 3pm is 10 minutes.
mary prefontaine
New Member
actually i just went out and bought one but i have to bring his cage into the shower as they really do put out some water lol but ive yet to see him drink. he may just have had a bad exerience when i first got him i kept accidently hitting him in the eye and caused it to close so this new pump sprayer is much better. he seems happier and licking his lips at least
Hutbug
New Member
I have a mist system I bought from AZDR.com, but I wouldn't recommend that company because they never answer their phone or emails. But the unit (80 psi) I bought works fine, and I rigged up a nozzle to sit in a hole in the bottom center of a large shallow bucket, turned upside down, on top of the cage. The water comes out the nozzle, hits the sides of the bucket, turns into a rainshower about 13" in diameter that rains through the screen top into the cage, all over the plants, etc. The plants are very happy.
I also read somewhere that veileds take at least 5 minutes to even notice that water is falling, so I set my rainshowers for 20 minutes in the mid-morning and 20 min. in the mid-afternoon. I had to refill the 'out' bucket each night, and empty the 'in' bucket every couple of days, but I never had to fuss with hand misting or worry about him getting enough water on or in him.
I also read somewhere that veileds take at least 5 minutes to even notice that water is falling, so I set my rainshowers for 20 minutes in the mid-morning and 20 min. in the mid-afternoon. I had to refill the 'out' bucket each night, and empty the 'in' bucket every couple of days, but I never had to fuss with hand misting or worry about him getting enough water on or in him.
mary prefontaine
New Member
ya im using the even bigger pump up 1 gallon container that way i can mist him for five minutes straight and yeahhhhh ive finally seen him drink from the drip system which is nothing but a cup on top of his cage. he seems to hate beinmg misted so the dripper seems to work fine .
