Why do we want cage to dry out at night?

[Angelwolf]

Because i dont like fishing rotted out sleeping sticks out of the water basin at 2am, particularly when when chameleon is still on it, and not a happy camper...

Get something to screen it off so your cham can't fall in. He can drown if you aren't right there to give help.

 

[Angelwolf]

One of the concerns that constantly wet branches in an enclosed area where the chameleon cannot move much is that the bottom of the feet have little chance to dry out. Add to that the artificial twisty vines that seem to never dry out, you create an environment where feet stay wet most of the time. A recipe for foot skin problems, and even we humans experience that when moisture is trapped between the toes, things get nasty...CHEERS!

Nick

Which, oddly enough, is a culprit of fungus.

 

[jamest0o0]

@Angelwolf back to my point about a proper clean up crew. I dont know of one case where this was an issue in a correctly set up enclosure with air exchange. Put a petri dish outside, you'll find more mold and fungi spores than you'd probably think. You're right that a large inhalation of potent and toxic spores could cause problems. This is a danger with mycoculture. This is also extremely rare though and would take a large amount of negligence. Somebody that goes through the trouble and research of a large, well established ecosystem is also going to be aware of there is something dangerous forming.

@nick barta this is a very good point. While my Parsons was in brumation, he sat under the mister for a long time. He came out with a little bit of pinkfoot, but it has since faded as he's gotten more active. I always try to keep dry spots in the cage now.

 

[jamest0o0]

@Matt Vanilla Gorilla thanks for posting, that's an interesting point you make as well. I enjoy reading what you and others have to say, very insightful. I'm not trying to act like I came up with all this, just noticed it from different posts, articles, etc and figured I'd ask why and see what everyone though.

 

[nightanole]

Get something to screen it off so your cham can't fall in. He can drown if you aren't right there to give help.

There is several pothos that live in the water basin, and its only a few inches deep.

 

[jajeanpierre]

The concern about mold and fungi lies in the fact that your cham is forced to live amongst it, not in potential overgrowth of either one. In the wild, a cham can, and will, relocate to avoid it, but in captivity, it can't. Mold and fungi spores can be inhaled by your cham and will lead to a very slow and painful death.

Have you ever been to a rain forest? Mold and fungi everywhere. Mold and fungi are one of the ways that organic material decomposes.

 

[jamest0o0]

Was away out of service, but just to sum it all up, I'm not saying a constantly drenched cage and branches is a good thing, but with the information we have now, and so many cases of RI's, maybe it's a better idea to have a dryer cage(while still misting enough to allow drinking and eye cleaning) during the day and more moisture at night? I definitely didn't come up with this idea, just from piecing together everything I've read/heard.

Thanks everyone that posted