Hello! I just got my first chameleon on sunday, 3 month old amilobe! I've done extensive research but am having trouble getting him to drink. We have the dripper on a vine that colllects droplets and has a good stick for him to sit and drink. I have yet to see him do so. I am npt home all day so I could be missing it. I l eave the dripper on all day as well. He's eating plenty, is there anyway to tell if he's been drinking?
new chameleon owner
- Thread starter sagolle
- Start date
craig90
Member
Sometimes they won't drink when people are watching.
You can get an idea of how well hydrated they are by looking at their urates, if they are white they are usually well hydrated and yellow/orange means they should be drinking more. Another sign of dehydration is sunken eyes.
Hope that helps and congrats on your first chameleon.
You can get an idea of how well hydrated they are by looking at their urates, if they are white they are usually well hydrated and yellow/orange means they should be drinking more. Another sign of dehydration is sunken eyes.
Hope that helps and congrats on your first chameleon.
Kate
Avid Member
Do you mist him? A dripper is not a substitute for a mister. A hand held misting bottle will do while he is small but if you are not at home during the day you might have to invest in an automated one. The whole enclosure needs to be heavily misted several times a day. This will raise humidity and hive him the opportunity to drink where he wants. You may not see him drink but you will be able to tell if he is by his urates. You are alming for pure white. If they are yellow or orange he needs more fluid. Welcome to the forum. It's good you have researched before buying your Cham.
ridgebax1
Avid Member
The brown is actual the stool or feces. The white part is what folks mean when speaking of the urates. That is their "pee". Their kidneys work differently than ours so that their "urine" is solid rather than liquid. It is this solid white part that should be all white. Sometimes if they are just a bit dehydrated it will have an orange tip. That indicates a need for increased water intake which can be achieved by more frequent or lengthier mistings. I use both a dripper and a mister so they always have water available for drinking. Even though the mister sprays quite a bit of water, it evaporates so if the cham doesn't drink before that happens then there won't be water until the next time you spray. That's why I have both. Cause if they get thirsty before the mister goes off again they can go to the dripper. You just have to be on top of your drainage so you don't get a flood.
Jordyt
New Member
New owner as well
Hi
My ambilobe is eight months old and I have had her since she was three months. She is my first chameleon as well.
At first I had the same fear as I would never see her drinking. It took awhile for her to get use to me and now she drinks/eats infront of me all the time.
If you have some extra money I would invest in a misting system. They are great for keeping the chameleons hydrated and the required humidity levels.
Hi
My ambilobe is eight months old and I have had her since she was three months. She is my first chameleon as well.
At first I had the same fear as I would never see her drinking. It took awhile for her to get use to me and now she drinks/eats infront of me all the time.
If you have some extra money I would invest in a misting system. They are great for keeping the chameleons hydrated and the required humidity levels.
melble68
Established Member
The poo is a good indicator that he's drinking when you are not looking. Hand misting can also get some chams stimulated to start drinking. I also have both, but my guy is a trip. He'll sit directly under the dripper at times. Doesn't matter if its directly on his forehead or on his back. I see him pop his tongue right at the drops from time to time also. Get a mister. I might get him excited, and not worry that you are watching. I know you can't resist to sit there and watch for what seems to be hours. You are not alone. We all do it.
