Why does my Chameleon not drink enough water?
By far the most common cause of dehydration is not being knowledgable about how a chameleon drinks water and not providing their drinking water properly. I’ve written a more detailed article about chameleon drinking water but in summary, chameleons don’t drink water like most animals do.
What does a chameleon do with its mouth open?
Chameleons aren’t like other pets that drink water from a bowl or bottle. Instead, chameleons drink water by licking droplets of water on leaves or letting water drop into their mouth. Each chameleon has different ways of drinking water. Some will lick water from leaves and plants, while others will stay under a plant with their mouth open.
What to give a chameleon to help with dehydration?
Electrolytes – This involves offering something beyond water. To do this take a syringe and fill it with half water and half a drink rich in electrolytes. I recommend coconut water or watermelon juice but a good sugar free sports drink will work too. Get your chameleon to open their mouth and gently squirt the whole syringe full into their mouth.
Where does a chameleon get its water from?
Instead of drinking water from a standing source, like a river or from a bowl in captivity, chameleons drink by licking droplets that form on or drip from leaves. Furthermore, they can only notice water is present in this form as they do not recognize standing water.
What does it mean when a chameleon is not drinking?
Lethargy – This can be a sign of many things from mild to severe but a lethargic chameleon is often one that isn’t drinking. Not Eating – Again another sign of several health problems but not eating usually means not drinking either. How to prevent chameleon dehydration?
How can you tell if a chameleon is healthy?
A chameleon that is healthy and is kept in a terrarium with proper air humidity will shed its skin pretty quickly. If you see a chameleon that does not seem to get rid of its skin, it is unlikely that you just caught it in the middle of a molt.
Why is my Chameleon dehydrated in the cage?
Chameleon dehydration is really common in both mild and severe forms. It is often caused by a lack of knowledge and poor cage set up. Do lots of research before getting a chameleon and make sure you get their set up right before you buy one.
Why is my Chameleon not shedding its skin?
A chameleon that is healthy and is kept in a terrarium with proper air humidity will shed its skin pretty quickly. If you see a chameleon that does not seem to get rid of its skin, it is unlikely that you just caught it in the middle of a molt. It is probably shedding its skin slower than it should because of low air humidity or weakness.
