Making sure chameleons have enough water to drink is really important. Chameleons are cool creatures with colorful appearances, and they need special systems to drink water. When we keep them as pets, we need to give them ways to drink just like they would in nature.
In this guide, we’ll talk about the top five drinking systems for chameleons. By picking the right one, you can help chameleons stay healthy and happy in your care.
Contents
Top 5 Chameleon Drinking Systems
Now we can offer you suggestions on which dripping and water feeding systems are best in the market and which ones can be used for your reptile’s terrarium.
1. Zoo Med The Big Dripper
This water dripper is a wide one and it holds an up good amount of water. This dripper works well for the chameleons of every age. The simple mechanism takes a big jar along with a tube to make it work.
The jar comes with a handle which makes it easy to be carried and also easy to be lifted. The plastic jar does not weigh much when it is empty so it is quite manageable that way. It provides the natural rainfall effect which is great for the chameleons.
As per some users, you can use two different adapters with this jar and that way you will be using this dripper to water two different terrariums. The hose that is attached with this jar is somehow difficult to manage at the first try, but once it is fixed you can work on it for days to come. However, you can fix the problem with a few stainless steel gang valves and also the flow rate will be managed with these valves.
Pros:
- Offers humidity for days
- Long-lasting
- Efficient in work
Cons:
- Difficult to fix for the first time
2. Fluker’s 35003 12 Ounce Reptile Drip System
This is a pocket-friendly option for the chameleon owners who will be able to keep their reptiles healthy by fixing this drip system to the terrarium. Frequent dripping is a must for the chameleons as they do not drink from bowls.
There is this 12-ounce mini dripper which is suitable for a medium-sized terrarium. You can control the stream by turning the tap head clockwise and anticlockwise. There is no metal valve so you can be assured of not getting rust on the tap.
A water dish or some bowl need to be kept under this tap as the drips should be accumulated in that area. Otherwise, you must arrange for the drainage way to get the water out of the terrarium. This drip system will improve the health of your chameleon by increasing the water intake and also will keep the atmosphere humid.
Pros:
- Mini-sized dispenser for small and medium terrarium
- Pocket-friendly option
Cons:
- Some units leak
3. Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium Waterfall Kit
Waterfall is a nice way to add some motion and life to the terrarium life. So you can use this waterfall kit to make the terrarium an attractive place for your chameleon. There is a water pump, hydro balls, terrarium mesh along with the plastic tubing and plastic elbow.
While keeping the waterfall system you need to take care of a few things, like changing the water once in a week and keeping the system clean. The humidity level is maintained naturally while you keep this waterfall inside the terrarium. But check that bacteria or pest do not breed in the water.
The terrarium should not be overheated once you put this waterfall system. The pump can be damaged once the heat of the terrarium gets increased. The pump of the system does not make much sound so you can expect it to work quietly in the terrarium; the sound will not bother the chameleon as well as other members around.
Pros:
- Natural water flow
- No sound from the pump
- Nice addition to the terrarium
Cons:
- Need to buy several items separately
- Gets clogged frequently
4. Ninuo Reptile Water Dispenser
This brand offers a nice mechanism to make your chameleon drink water from the dispenser. This is a smart way to keep the chameleon healthy as it looks much like the waterfall. This is an automatic one and it will offer 1000 ml of water throughout the week.
When you will keep this dispenser at the terrarium you do not have to fill the water every day. This also takes little effort to be installed. The water bowl is stuck to the glass surface of the terrarium and then it is not budged easily from there. There are strong suction cups under this bowl which will not be tilted even if some large chameleon gives it a push or nudge.
This item is made from food-grade resin which is very safe for the chameleons. The bowl of the dispenser is non-porous so there is no way bacteria can grow inside it. Good hygiene is maintained with tested and approved parts. Also, a carbon pad is included in this dispenser to make sure that the pet chameleon gets to drink only purified water.
This dispenser is pretty easy to clean so you can clean it at least once a month to maintain the good health of your chameleon. This dispenser even comes with 110V DC pump which makes the electricity usage less. This is a perfect solution for most of the chameleon parents as this fountain provides the right amount of water to their pets.
Pros:
- Works nicely
- Easy installation
- Power saving
- Cleaning is simple
Cons:
- Some owners found it too big for the baby chameleons
5. GZCGLN Reptile Water Dispenser
This dispenser also comes equipped with carbon cotton filtration process which makes sure that your pet gets only clean, fresh and pure water to drink. The automatic drinking supply is good to keep the hydration level up and make the chameleon stay healthy.
If you keep this dispenser at the terrarium, not only the chameleon will be happy to drink from it but also the plants will have the regular and running source of water which makes the whole atmosphere lively and refreshed.
This is not a budget-friendly product but if you want to keep the pet healthy you can invest this much to see good results. This product is safe and made from durable items like food grade ABS resin so you can expect it to work for months. The pump works with much less power and thus will use less electricity.
There is a drop-proof wrap which ensures absolutely no-leakage. A tool tong comes with this package as an extra accessory by which you can feed your chameleon. Stream adjustability is offered through the change in the motion of water circulation. As the water bowl is large you need not fill it often or daily.
Pros:
- Energy efficient
- Provides natural environment
- Healthy and safe material
- Carbon pad
Cons:
- High priced.
FAQs
How to hydrate your chameleon?
Water is the source of hydration for chameleon-like any other creatures. They do not drink much water in a day but they can absorb the moisture through their skin. So hydration is required and that is done mostly through this absorption.
Actual drinking is also a regular part of their daily routine though. But rather from drinking it from the shallow dish or bowl that is usually kept at any pet’s shelter, water dripping and misting are more useful with chameleons. They love to drink the water droplets from the plants in their terrarium.
When does the chameleon drink?
While in wildness, chameleons only drink when it rains. But as they are natives of tropical forests, raining is an everyday incident. So dehydration never happens to them in their place of origin.
They do not have the habit of drinking water from any place where the rainwater is stored. So puddles, as well as water dishes, are not suitable or of much help to them.
Can you give tap water to your pet chameleon?
This is a concern for many chameleon parents, and we can assure them here. If the tap water is fresh and not chlorinated, then, of course, you can give them the water to drink. Or you can use the tap water to mist the plants inside the terrarium.
Check if the water from the tap is clean and does not contain any small particles, which can upset the stomach and digestion system of the reptile. It must be free from any impurities.
Do not offer distilled water thinking this is the purest form of water for the chameleon. Distilled water does not contain the regular minerals so the chameleon will be lacking on them.
How long a chameleon can survive without water?
Chameleons are rather used to without having much water. If they do not drink a drop of water, still they can manage to stay more or less healthy and safe for 2 weeks. So they can stay without water for this long period.
How often do the chameleons need water?
As we already mentioned, offering water to chameleons has a different procedure. You need to mist the plants and that you need to do at least twice a day. Using a professional dripper can help if you cannot manage to take time out of the daily work schedule to drip the plants regularly.
How do chameleons drink?
Water absorption is the best way to stay hydrated for the chameleons. Hydration through their skin is ample for them to stay healthy, though they sometimes drink water actually from the water bowl. You need to mist the trees of the terrarium two times every day and also need to spray water inside the terrarium so they can absorb the humidity through their skin. This is the regular way of water intake for chameleons.
Can the chameleon drink from the bowl?
Chameleons often feel like drinking water when it rains. They are instinctively driven to drink during rain, so they will drink the droplets from the leaves after you mist water on the plants. But they also drink from water dishes once in a while, if they feel like drinking and that too after misting is done. Misting replicates the raining procedure which regulates the water drinking habit in chameleons.
Can you water mist the chameleon?
Some owners make this mistake of misting the chameleon thinking it may help them to stay hydrated. But you should not do that with a new pet. After the chameleon is settled and is used to with the water misting procedure, you can mist it once in a while.
Misting them at first may make them startled and stressed, so do not try this for their own good.
How can you tell if the chameleon is not drinking enough water?
If you see the eyes in bulging or sunken way, then there is something wrong with the chameleon. Also, you may see it getting lethargic and losing power to even grab the branches or climbing them.
Chameleons are in habit of climbing the high branches of the walls of the terrarium often. That natural tendency detects their health. If you find them going weak and also see their eyes getting puffed or sunken then maybe they are not properly hydrated. Checking
Why is the pet chameleon drinking so much?
This is not a very unnatural habit among chameleons. You can see those drinking lots of water sometimes, but that is absolutely normal. A mature chameleon may drink quite frequently for a day or two. It happens when they need the water to stay hydrated or their body fluid is getting less. They are in habit of drinking too much once in a day and then not drinking for the rest of the day.
Conclusion
To wrap it up, selecting the right drinking system for your chameleon is a big deal. These unique creatures need water to stay well, and the way they drink is important. With the top five drinking systems we’ve discussed, you have great options to choose from.
By giving your chameleon the right way to drink, you’re making sure it stays healthy and enjoys a good life in its home with you. Remember, the right drinking system is like a little gift you can give to your chameleon to help it thrive and be happy.
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