Over spraying???

[jmunger]

Can you over spray a new chameleon. I usually wait about a hour when the lights come on and wont spray 1 hour before lights out but in between I spray once ever 1-2 hours is this too much.

 

[ChamDE86]

Yes, overspraying can lead to bacterial/mold buildup and cause your cham to become sick. You also want the enclosure to completely dry in between misting and before the lights go out.

 

[jmunger]

thanks

Yes, overspraying can lead to bacterial/mold buildup and cause your cham to become sick. You also want the enclosure to completely dry in between misting and before the lights go out.

Would there be a certain amount I should spray.

 

[Carlton]

Can you over spray a new chameleon. I usually wait about a hour when the lights come on and wont spray 1 hour before lights out but in between I spray once ever 1-2 hours is this too much.

How often you need to spray depends a lot on the humidity level you are trying to maintain in the cage and how dry the room tends to be. If there is a LOT of live foliage in the cage to catch the droplets you probably don't need to spray as often. We can't tell you exactly how much to spray because everyone's situation is different.

Questions:

How do you measure cage humidity now? What is the range from dry to wet?
Do you use live plants in the cage?
What are the temps in the room now?
Is your cham always thirsty and drinking every time you spray?

You can get more good information about the importance of spraying, humidity, etc. if you read the cham care section under the forum Resources tab. Also tips and suggestions for doing it correctly.

 

[ChamDE86]

It's difficult to say because it depends on where you live, how your enclosure is set up, etc. I go with a 1-2 minute misting session 3-4 times a day. 2 1/2 or 3 hour wait time before misting again. I would also recommend using a dripper right after your misting sessions. I just use a small plastic cup that I poked a little hole in with a needle that will slow drip for about an hour. If it helps, my schedule is...

7AM - Lights ON
8AM - 1st misting session
11AM - 2nd misting session
2PM - 3rd misting session

I leave for work after that, but on days I don't work I add in another misting session around 5PM. That gives me 2 hours to dry after lights go off at 7AM.

 

[jmunger]

How often you need to spray depends a lot on the humidity level you are trying to maintain in the cage and how dry the room tends to be. If there is a LOT of live foliage in the cage to catch the droplets you probably don't need to spray as often. We can't tell you exactly how much to spray because everyone's situation is different.

Questions:

How do you measure cage humidity now? What is the range from dry to wet?
Do you use live plants in the cage?
What are the temps in the room now?
Is your cham always thirsty and drinking every time you spray?

You can get more good information about the importance of spraying, humidity, etc. if you read the cham care section under the forum Resources tab. Also tips and suggestions for doing it correctly.

To answer your questions:
Only had him for two days now he usually hides when I spray then when I go across room sometimes he drinks others he doesn't.
I have one live plant in his cage it is about 1/4-1/3 size of cage
the temps in the room are around 65 I live in a old house have a digital reading near basking spot its around 90-95 and a analog on bottom its around 70 I measuring humidity I have questions with. I have a digital thermometer/hygrometer where should I put the hyg lead if I place it on side it reads lower than if it were in middle

 

[Carlton]

To answer your questions:
Only had him for two days now he usually hides when I spray then when I go across room sometimes he drinks others he doesn't.
I have one live plant in his cage it is about 1/4-1/3 size of cage
the temps in the room are around 65 I live in a old house have a digital reading near basking spot its around 90-95 and a analog on bottom its around 70 I measuring humidity I have questions with. I have a digital thermometer/hygrometer where should I put the hyg lead if I place it on side it reads lower than if it were in middle

Get some idea of the humidity range in different areas of the cage by moving the lead around for a few days before and after misting, especially in areas he tends to spend time in. It will be drier at the top obviously. Many chams don't like to be sprayed directly, so misting the plants around him is better. With time you'll have a better idea when the cage is getting too dry and needs misting.

 

[Carlton]

Yes, overspraying can lead to bacterial/mold buildup and cause your cham to become sick. You also want the enclosure to completely dry in between misting and before the lights go out.

Actually, I don't think you would want the ENTIRE cage to dry completely. The areas that would normally be more humid (in denser parts of the foliage for example) shouldn't get bone dry. What you want to try to do is provide a range of different humidity levels...the driest and warmest under the lights where your cham basks, but more humid areas that don't sit completely stagnant with no air exchange. How fast the cage dries out will also depend on how much air exchange there is in the room, how you heat your house, your local climate, and the room's humidity. More air flow, faster drying and less chance of mold. It takes time, trial and error to fine tune a particular cage setup.

 

[jmunger]

thank you

I will move the lead around tomm he sleeping for the night and today I noticed that he was exploring the whole cage instead of just hiding. His poop is proper colored so that is good and if he doesn't eat all the crickets should I remove them at night or let them be.

 

[ChamDE86]

Actually, I don't think you would want the ENTIRE cage to dry completely. The areas that would normally be more humid (in denser parts of the foliage for example) shouldn't get bone dry. What you want to try to do is provide a range of different humidity levels...the driest and warmest under the lights where your cham basks, but more humid areas that don't sit completely stagnant with no air exchange. How fast the cage dries out will also depend on how much air exchange there is in the room, how you heat your house, your local climate, and the room's humidity. More air flow, faster drying and less chance of mold. It takes time, trial and error to fine tune a particular cage setup.

I probably could have word it better. I usually wait until the cage is dry from the outside view, while it may still be damp or wet within the foilage. Thanks for pointing that out though, as a new owner could have possibly taken my advice word for word and let the cage dry out completely.


As for the crickets, I would remove them to avoid any chance of them chewing on your cham as he/she sleeps. I've heard 1 or 2 in the cage may be Okay, although I use a cricket cup, so it's a non issue for me.

 

[jmunger]

I will post some pics of him after a few days been trying to give him space until he used to the area. he looks very healthy I did my research before I got him and I purchased him form chameleons northwest I was very pleased with their customer service and their concern for the health of the chameleon they sent.