Of all of the husbandry parameters HYDRATION is the
most important. You want to ensure that the chameleon is getting plenty to drink
daily. Too little water can cause long term health problems. Proper hydration
can be accomplished by using several different methods or a
combination of methods. What you choose depends on your cage, your ability
to properly maintain the system, whether it is inside or outdoors, the time and
money you want to invest, and the species or more specifically the individual
cham's preference. Be sure that the humidity requirements for your species are
being met, and remember that any method of watering is going to at least
temporarily increase the humidity level. Do not confuse humidity with
hydration. Humidity is the amount of moisture in the
air, hydration is the amount of water consumed by the
chameleon.
Methods
Direct connect misting systems hook up to either the
hose or house water supply
Self-contained misting systems have their own water
tank
Humidifiers are not really for watering systems, more for
HUMIDITY level, however, if set up to they can create a DEW on leaves in the
morning or evening and many species look for that for water.
Drip systems designed for reptile use, that have an
adjustable valve to control drip flow. These should be set to drip onto the
leaves of plants to slow the flow and give the cham a chance to SEE it
Similar to drip systems are home made drip systems, using
many different styles, but the same result. You can make one with almost any
plastic container. Take a deli cup and poke a few PIN holes in the bottom,
place it on top of the cage and put water in it. You have just manufactured
a drip waterer. You can of course get much more sophisticated than that and
make one from sturdier materials.
It has been suggested in the past, to place ice cubes on the
top of cages and let them melt. The drips have about the right timing, but,
in my and many other chamowners experience, most chameleons PREFER WARM
water.
One of the best methods is to get a spray bottle (I use a
pump type to save my trigger finger) and spray above the chameleon onto
leaves creating a DRIP FLOW. Remember to use HOT
water in your bottle, by the time it reaches your cham it will be warm.
I almost did not mention these because they are very risky,
but surely some one is going to find them anyway, SO... WATERFALLS
areused for hydration as well. They are very DANGEROUS to use
with chameleons due to bacterial growth. In my opinion, and the opinion of many
other chameleon keepers,
they are not worth the time it takes to properly maintain them. I have used
one before and they do add to the scenery in a well designed and landscaped
enclosure, BUT once again they require frequent and extensive cleaning to
remove harmful bacteria. I do no of a cham owner with much experience that
loves them, but she will tell you she breaks hers down three to four times a
week for detail cleaning. If you can do this then go ahead.
See the
ENCLOSURES
SECTION for pictures and brief descriptions
of many of the above mentioned items.
Some
form of manual sprayer is a MUST HAVE . The one pictured is a great
indoor sprayer. It holds 2.5 pints of water and has a pump to
pressurize it, which saves a lot of trigger squeezing. It works like
a larger garden sprayer. This one costs around $6.00 at Home Depot
or Wal-mart.
The Hudson battery powered Never Pump Trigger Sprayer offers the luxury
of spraying without pumping. Just pull the trigger and spray.
Operates on two AA batteries. The 32 oz. polyethylene tank is
translucent for viewing of liquid level. Tank is designed with low
center of gravity to reduce tipping. Nozzle adjusts from mist to stream.
Sprays up to 60 minutes and/or 1.4 gallons per battery set.
Sprays up to 3.2 oz. per minute. In a horizontal stream spray can reach
up to 6 feet. Measures 11.25" H x 4.75" W x 4.5" D. Costs under
$10.00. Also available in backpac, fannypack and standard 2gallon sizes
for a little more money.
REPTILE DRIP-WATERER
These come in two sizes,
one gallon and one pint. They are great for drip watering
but should NOT be the only method of hydration used.
MISTING SYSTEM
This is a great time
saver. you can design and build your own misting system using 1/4
inch tubing and sprayer heads from a hardware store. they make lots
of different types of heads from drippers to misters, and they are
inexpensive. The pump is the costly part of this and can run $20 to
$100 depending on selection. You should still carefully monitor
their drinking habits and mist them manually as well. HYDRATION is
the most important aspect of chameleon husbandry and should be given
the time and resources required to do it properly.
HUMIDIFIER
You can purchase an ultrasonic
humidifier at most drug stores or big chain retailers (WALMART
TARGET) for around $20.00. They are worth the money for most
species. They help control relative humidity and temperature. This
one has been modified with PVC pipes and vinyl tubing to direct the
output to three cages. These are not required, but come in very
handy. Be sure to keep them clean if you use one.
