My chameleon tries to shoot his tongue at water....

[mswilly]

My 5 month old nosy be baby doesn't drink like a normal chameleon, and it concerns me. He has been shooting his tongue out at the drop of water like he thinks its a bug or something. I don't think he understands how to drink! I'm worried he's going to get dehydrated doing this, because I've watched him try and its not very effective! I use a dripper and then mist whenever his humidity goes below 50%. Any suggestions on how to get him to drink like a normal chameleon? Thanks!

 

[twatts704]

And what makes you think that he is not a normal chameleon for drinking like that?

 

[twatts704]

What color are his urates? Are his eyes sunken in? Do you see him with his eyes closed during the day?

 

[mcleodschams]

No worries he is a normal chameleon my faly female who is almost 2 now drinks the same way

 

[Meow Kitty]

my chameleon also does this its no biggy

 

[Mmcbain1]

I also have a cham that eats water (doesnt drink it). I think its kinda cool. If your worried about hydration watch his eyes closely

 

[creddjobs]

I have seen Koopa do this. mostly when he was younger. I think its normal.

 

[griddle]

Unless he is showing signs of dehydration I would not worry, I have a cham that drinks out of a dish for some reason.

 

[mswilly]

@twatts704, that's why I'm asking. I don't know if its normal or not. Isn't that what this forum is for??

His urates aren't white, they have an orange tinge to them. His eyes are not horribly sunken in, but judging by his urates, he is not getting enough water. How to I up his water intake if this is normal for them to drink like that?

 

[warpdrive]

The best thing to do to increase water intake is to increase misting times.
If you are hand misting, then just keep misting untill your male gets at least 3 it 4 "hits" from a water droplet.
If you use an auto misting device, then increase the times that it runs.

You can also feed silkies or hornworms as they contain a lot of water.

Harry

 

[Tifanydalpont]

i very very lightly sqirt water in my cham mouth when he sees water drops and starts to lick his lips. I've had mine for 3 1/2 years now.just be carefull not to spray to hard and stop to let him swallow the water...if your too forceful you can get water in their lungs...if his haveing problems drinking...sounds like he wants to drink but cant..hope it helps

 

[Tifanydalpont]

when i first got my jack...he had the same problem...just fill a squirt bottle with clean bottled water. not tap water its bad..hopefully hes not too dehydated that he wont drink..i've had that problem too..spray the whole cage to were theres water dripping off all the leaves..hopefully It will lick it's lip or shoot it's tonge to catch the drops...then light spray to were to water drips off the front of it's mouth....i'm sure people on here will say"don't do that it's bad!!"..but it sound like , if you dont do something soon your pet will die

 

[lysinlight87]

I think it's a bit extreme to say "do this or your pet will die." From previous comments this baby is showing quite normal chameleon behaviour

 

[Tifanydalpont]

I think it's a bit extreme to say "do this or your pet will die." From previous comments this baby is showing quite normal chameleon behaviour

yes but it's not drinking and is dehydrated???

 

[Tifanydalpont]

I think it's a bit extreme to say "do this or your pet will die." From previous comments this baby is showing quite normal chameleon behaviour

he asked @twatts704, that's why I'm asking. I don't know if its normal or not. Isn't that what this forum is for??

His urates aren't white, they have an orange tinge to them. His eyes are not horribly sunken in, but judging by his urates, he is not getting enough water. How to I up his water intake if this is normal for them to drink like that?

if he has sunken eyes and the pee is orange..it not drinking..did you not read the post???

 

[mswilly]

he asked @twatts704, that's why I'm asking. I don't know if its normal or not. Isn't that what this forum is for??

His urates aren't white, they have an orange tinge to them. His eyes are not horribly sunken in, but judging by his urates, he is not getting enough water. How to I up his water intake if this is normal for them to drink like that?

if he has sunken eyes and the pee is orange..it not drinking..did you not read the post???

Sorry Tifanydalpont, I will clarify that he is drinking and everything is normal, but his urates have an orange tinge to them indicating that he's not getting enough water by just shooting his tongue at it! Sorry for the confusion :S

 

[mcleodschams]

The only thing I would do is up his mistings to Mrs frequent and or longer sessions and also have a dripper running for him just be sure all are shut down early enough that his cage dries out by bed time he will be fine if you notice his eyes sunken or orange irate horns and silks e great for hydration don't worry I'm sure he's not going to die my cham drinks by shooting her tongue aswell and she is oober healthy you could try dripping water on the tip of his nose also to show him he can get a drink without shooting maybe I usually start my neonites like this with an eye dropper they seem to catch on quicker then if you just mist the cage or run a dripper hope this helps you with your concern.