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Providing water for chameleons -correctly and easily

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Water for chameleons – essential for health

In the wild, normally chameleons drink from water drops on leaves after rainfall or from heavy dew. Chameleons can absorb water through their skin but they still need to drink. Due to the high humidity in certain rain forest habitats, the regular heavy morning mist there provides extra hydration for montane chameleon species.

In captivity, an owner should try to replicate these situations to ensure the best chameleon care. This requires some research in where your chameleon comes from. A Panther chameleon and a Veiled chameleon, for example, come from very different habitats. (Books about chameleons can give valuable background about various species origins – checkout our book selection.)

Sadly, this research doesn’t always happen leading to the two most common problems found in captive chameleons – dehydration and metabolic bone disease.

The two most common mistakes in providing water to a chameleon are either not doing so in the right manner, or giving too little through insufficient spraying.

It’s not necessary to provide a constant water supply for chameleons, so long as it is regular (that is several times a day), done in a way that the chameleon can drink the water and sufficient quantity that the chameleon gets enough each day. The important thing is keeping the chameleon hydrated.

It is very rare for chameleons to drink from a bowl. There will always be someone who claims to have a chameleon which does but, even if true, it’s very unusual. Your chameleon is likely to become fatally dehydrated if you expect it to do the same.

Providing water the correct way is straightforward and easy to do. Here are some suggestions:

Providing water for Chameleons the correct way

There are several ways to successfully provide water for chameleons.  In each case, the water needs to run off the leaves or branches so that the movement catches the reptile’s eyes and it starts drinking.  Normally, the water will need to run for a few minutes before the chameleon shows interest, and it needs to continue until the animal stops drinking.

If you wonder how much water chameleons drink a day, you need to know that a daily, cursory spray is insufficient. Sadly, I’ve seen people spray their chameleons as quickly as they would a houseplant, stopping as soon as the leaves are wet. That’s never enough.

water for chameleons cages being sprayed
Automated watering using a computerised garden irrigation system.

Spraying must be a sustained event, as it would be during a downpour of rain. The water should be running freely down the leaves and branches for several minutes. And the process should be repeated during the day, not just done once. Twice is good, three times is better. This is a good reason why adequate drainage in the cage is essential.

Hand spraying

This is a good method but requires daily attention and time.  The spraying should be done at least twice a day, which for many people is not practical.  Unless you have strong hands, I’d suggest you invest in a 5-litre pump spray, especially if you own more than one cage.

Waterfalls

Pet shops love to sell artificial waterfalls as they look quite attractive as part of the overall set-up.  However, I recommend avoiding them.

They have gained a well-deserved reputation for potential hygiene problems. This makes sense, as any body of water kept warm and aerated becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.  And that’s what happens when water is continuously pumped around an artificial waterfall. If the chameleon defecates into the water or a cricket carelessly drowns in it, the chances of the water becoming polluted are high.

Drip Systems / Ice cubes

In emergencies, I’ve used a 5-litre plastic box as a water reservoir, placed on top of the cage. Water drips into the cage through a small hole drilled in the bottom of the box.  For better control, I run a short pipe from the bottom of the box so it ends above some leaves. By connecting a small plastic tap to the pipe, I can control the amount of water dripping. The kind of tap used in aquariums to control air pumps is ideal.

I have found two potential problems with this setup, neither of which is insurmountable.  The first was that the drip system delivered five litres of water inside the chameleon cage each day which required good drainage.

The second problem was that the hole often got blocked. If this went unnoticed, the chameleons had no water but as I was working at home, I could fix this before it became a problem.

water for Chameleons drip system
A basic dripping system, with the ‘tap’ at the end to control the speed of the water as it drips onto the leaves.

Some books suggest an alternative by placing ice cubes in a plastic container with a small hole in the bottom.  As the ice cubes melt, the water trickles through the hole and dribbles down the branches.  This idea, however, has several flaws.  The first is that the water may be too cold when the chameleon drinks it.  The second is that, depending on where you live, the ice cubes are likely to melt too fast for the idea to be practical.

Automated Watering Systems

Automated watering is by far and away my favourite system. And why not? It supplies the correct amount of water, when and where it’s needed. And, aside from making sure the system continues to function properly, minimal work is involved!

Gardena water computer
A Gardena water computer. There are many alternatives on the market to choose from.

Several types of automated watering systems, of varying complexity, are available on the market.  In both South Africa and Malaysia, I have relied heavily on automated garden irrigation systems, such as those sold by Gardena, which are set to spray at timed intervals. I set them to spray roughly three times a day for fifteen minutes, except in winter (South Africa) or the wet season (Malaysia) when they run only twice a day for ten minutes.

Mistking water misting system
A MistKing starter kit. This produces a fine mist rather than a spray but works well for baby chameleons. Many keepers use them for adults as well.

Other systems designed for reptiles include MistKing. These generate a mist or very fine spray, rather than the more rain-like effect from the gardening systems but they work well.

Dehydration

If a chameleon is not drinking properly, it will soon become dehydrated. Its eyes will take on a sunken appearance. You should also regularly check the colour of its faeces. The urate should be white. If it’s yellow or orange, it’s a possible sign of dehydration. Other factors can cause sunken eyes and discoloured urate but these are warning signs to look out for.

Unfortunately, even limited dehydration can occur without any obvious signs. The resulting damage to the chameleon’s internal organs may be irreversible if the situation isn’t fixed quickly.  Providing adequate water for your chameleon is not something to leave to chance.

Emergency Care

If you think your chameleon is dehydrated, seek the advice of a vet who knows about chameleons immediately. You can’t afford to wait to see if it gets better.

If you’re just worried your reptile didn’t drink the day before due to a problem with the watering system, it’s probably not too serious. Some species come from regions where rainfall is not a daily occurrence. However, there is normally heavy dew even in the dry season.

Some keepers advocate putting the chameleon on a large branch and putting it in the shower. You obviously need to check and monitor the force and temperature of the water carefully. The experience may be too stressful for your chameleon. I’ve not tried this method.

What has worked for me is dripping water onto a leaf in front of the chameleon. You can also sometimes get them to take water from the nozzle of the spray bottle or the drips from the end of a large plastic syringe. You will probably need to spend a long time doing so, but it’s worth it if the chameleon drinks.

Summarising Water for Chameleons

Providing water for chameleons correctly is one of the most easily overlooked essentials for a chameleon. That’s partly because there are no shortcuts (aside from automation). The chameleon needs daily access to adequate, clean dripping water.

I haven’t discussed whether tap water or bottled water is best. That is a personal decision, which may be affected by where you live and the quality of your tap water. Obviously, the water must be clean and any container used as a reservoir for sprays, etc., should be kept clean.

If you can automate the watering process, it’ll remove most of the risks and cut down the time involved. More important, the health of your pet will be safeguarded. And it will make looking after your chameleon fun rather than a chore.

water for chameleons from a spray
Chameleons will often take water from the nozzle of a spray.

UV light for chameleons

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UV light for chameleons

Keeping chameleons in captivity failed in the past due partly to a limited understanding of their need for ultra violet light. Sadly, the situation has only improved slightly today and the need for UV light for chameleons is too often ignored.

I still get photos of Veiled chameleons with chronic MBD from owners who thought they could get away without a UV light. They write to ask how they can ‘fix’ their pet’s MBD. In most, if not all, cases they can’t.

The correct use of UV light is essential for a healthy chameleon. But it may not be as straightforward as you think. Read on to learn why distance and strength can play a critical part.

Know your UV

UV light for chameleons showing wavelength
UV light wavelength compared to other light

There are three types of ultra violet light: UV-A (long wave), UV-B (medium wave) and UV-C (short wave).

UV-A is part of the chameleon’s visible spectrum. It allows it to see its surroundings in a slightly different way to humans but it is UV-B that is important for vitamin D3 synthesis in reptiles. UV-B has a wavelength in the range of 290 to 320nm (nanometres).

UV-C is harmful and is used in ultra violet sterilisers.

The process of vitamin D3 synthesis in the skin as a result of exposure to ultra violet light involves complex topics such as PTH (parathyroid) hormones and pre-vitamin D3 conversion.  As such, these are outside the scope of this blog. It’s enough to repeat: UV light is essential for a healthy chameleon. It’s also crucial if a female is to lay viable eggs.

Generally, a UV light for chameleons does not produce heat. It should not be confused with other types of lighting, such as basking or Infra-Red lights.

The sun – the perfect UV light for chameleons

The cheapest source of UV-B is the sun. This is obviously far better than any artificial source.  Anyone who has read any of my books or blogs elsewhere will know I’m a huge advocate of exposing chameleons to natural sunlight. But only in the right location and situation. Obviously, you must exercise common sense how you expose your chameleon. And not all climates are suitable.

Even a few hours outdoors each week will be beneficial.  In South Africa, it was my habit to place my chameleons outside as much as possible, even in the winter.  Unless the temperatures were below 16°C, I would put my Panther chameleons outside against a sunny wall and out of any cold winds during the middle of the day.

In Malaysia, I keep my adult Veiled chameleons outside 24 hours a day. However, the cages are placed so they get a mix of sun and shade. Daytime temperatures in the open can reach 36°C but inside the cages it rarely goes above 32°C.

The cages house small bushes so the chameleons can crawl among the leaves to escape the sun if they wish. An automated watering system helps keep the bottom of the cage moist and at a lower temperature, even on hot days.

Not all species would be survive outside in a hot, tropical climate.

There are subtle differences in behaviour under artificial light compared to natural sun light.  Studies show that in the wild chameleons can regulate their ultra violet light exposure, moving in and out of the sun as required.

How much UV is natural?

Under artificial light, there is evidence that some species are attracted to the ultra violet light a bit like moths. This may mean they do not regulate their exposure as they would in the wild.

This is not necessarily as bad as it sounds when one compares outside UV and that from a UV light using a UV meter.  On a sunny day at noon in Gauteng, a UV meter might read 450 mW/cm2. This may be reduced by cloud or by taking the reading earlier or later in the day but it is still quite intense.

UV light for chameleons showing wavelength
UV light emission from a 5.0 ReptiGlo UV light.

It is worth noting that the altitude on the Highveld (between 1,500 and 1,700 metres above sea level) results in meter readings higher than at sea level. At lower altitudes a reading of 300mW/cm2 might be normal at noon on the equator.  For comparison, a 5.0 ReptiGlo UV light for chameleons will register roughly 17 mW/cm2 at 30 cm from the tube.

Does this comparison mean that either a stronger light is needed indoors or that artificial light is ineffectual? No. If used correctly artificial light can be quite sufficient and beneficial. Using a stronger light would probably result in health issues, including eye damage.

UV Strength

The key thing to remember is the strength of the light falls off with distance from the source.  The following chart for a 5.0 UV tube, shows this clearly:

Strength of the UV as distance from the light  increases
Distance in cm 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
mW/cm2 100 54 37 28 22 17 14 13 11 9

 

From this chart it can be seen that at 30cm the strength of the light is 17 mW/cm2.  Research and experience show this is an acceptable reading for captive chameleons.

But the chart shows the further down the cage the chameleon travels away from the light source, the lower the ultra violet intensity. By 50cm the light is barely producing any worthwhile UV light.

UV lights for chameleons when they are small
UV lights above baby chameleons. Note the ends overlap to make up for reduced UV.

Another point to bear in mind is that the last few centimetres at each end of the tube produce far less UV than the middle. Therefore, always use the longest tube you can for your cage.

The majority of UV lights on sale in South Africa as tubes normally have an effective lifespan of about nine months. I’ve tested several with a UV meter during use and found some still producing ultra violet at full strength several months after this. However, unless you’ve invested in a UV meter it’s better to assume that nine months is the limit.

Conclusion

If you’re planning on keeping a chameleon, it is essential you invest in UV lighting. If you skimp on this you will end up with a sick chameleon. The only alternative is exposure to direct natural sunlight.

Keeping a chameleon in a window will not work. When the sun hits the window, the temperatures in the chameleon cage are likely rise very quickly. Never put a glass cage outdoors, even with the lid off.

Most types of glass filter out the UV light for chameleons. That means that most conservatories and glasshouses will not work unless special glass is used.

The information shown above is for the ‘normal’ chameleons kept in captivity, e.g. Veiled, Panther, Carpets, etc.  Veiled chameleons are especially prone to MBD and poor UV light is often a direct cause.

There are species that are not as dependent on UV, for example, certain Brookesias that spend their time on the forest floor. Montane species may come from areas with intense cloud cover but when it breaks, the altitude can mean the UV intensity is high. A normal UV set up should be used unless you find evidence to show the species has specific requirements.

UV light for chameleons is essential to avoid MBD
Chameleon suffering severe MBD due to lack of UV lighting