Drip System For Chameleon: Everything You Need To Know

Did you know that Chameleons drink differently than other reptiles, other animals, and us? For example, they don’t typically drink out of a bowl as other animals would. So, how do they stay hydrated? We’ll answer that question in this article. But first, we’ll share a brief overview of what a Chameleon is. Then, we’ll discuss the importance of hydration for Chameleons and how they drink water.

Finally, we’ll share some of the best water drip systems for your Chameleon to have inside their enclosure that will promote healthy drinking and hydration. 

They may be slow while walking, but they have long, sticky tongues that are fast to catch their prey and eyes that can look 360-degrees.

Most of their prey in the wild consist of various types of insects. For example, they’ll eat crickets, worms, and even snails or slugs. In some cases, they’ll eat small birds.

Most Chameleons are known as insectivores but some are omnivores and will eat dark leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables.

There are about 160 known species of Chameleon and they’re all similar but quite different from one another. For example, depending on the species, Chameleons have an average lifespan of anywhere between three years and eight years. 

How Do Chameleons Drink Water?

Chameleons don’t drink water like other pets or we do. They don’t sip out of cups or bowls. In fact, they lick water droplets in order to get the amount of water they need to stay hydrated.

In the wild, they’ll lick water droplets from leaves that are caused by the rain. In captivity, Chameleons should be misted at least twice a day.

Also, you can get a drip system so that they have an adequate water source at all times.

What Happens If Your Chameleon Doesn’t Drink Water?

Chameleons need to drink more water than other animals. Otherwise, they won’t stay hydrated.

So, what happens if your Chameleon doesn’t drink enough water? Well, they’ll become dehydrated. 

Unfortunately, dehydration in Chameleons is serious, and it’ll be difficult to bring them back to full health. If you believe your Chameleon isn’t drinking enough, you should always bring them to the vet.

One way to tell they’re drinking enough is to keep an eye on their urine. If it’s clear, then they’re hydrated. If it’s yellow, they’ll need to drink more. Also, if they’re not peeing at all, then you know they’re not drinking at all.

Since hydration is so important in Chameleons, it’s a good idea to have a drip system in their enclosure.

How To Make A Water Drip System For Chameleons

To ensure that your Chameleon is drinking enough water throughout the day, there are a few ways you can provide water for them.

One way is to mist their enclosure. You can do this manually, spraying their terrarium a few times daily. It can be part of your routine, and your Chameleon will know when it’s time to get a drink.

Also, there are automatic misters you can buy from the store that will spray the tank periodically. This is a good one to have if you’re going to be out of your house for most of the day. You’ll know that your Chameleon’s habitat isn’t getting too dry.

The mist will get everything in their enclosure moist, allowing your Chameleon to lick up the droplets from different decor within their tank.

Alternatively, you can get a drip system. A drip system is especially good for your Chameleon because it’s a constant water source.

If they’re thirsty and want extra water, they’ll know exactly where to go in their habitat and get a quick drink, rather than waiting for an automatic mister to go off.

Drip systems are one of the better ways to provide water for your Chameleon because it’s a consistent source of water. Also, you won’t need to remember to mist their tank (although misting once in a while will still be a good idea).

Watch this video: Drip System For Chameleon

Can Chameleons Drink Out Of A Bowl?

In most cases, no. Chameleons do not drink out of a bowl. Instead, they have evolved to react to moving water, such as droplets.

Also, they rarely leave their leaves and tree branches in the wild. So, it’s not often they come across a still-standing body of water.

Of course, if you leave a bowl of fresh water in their enclosure, some Chameleons will go over to it and lick it as they would with water droplets.

It’s not something they’re used to, though, so you might as well leave it out altogether.

Best Drip System For Chameleon Comparison Chart

Name	Image	Capacity	Price	Features	Rating (/5)
Zoomed The Big Dripper		1 Gallon	Click here	Easy to set up and use, adjustable nozzle, comes in different sizes	4.0
Giangarden Reptile Water Dispenser		27oz	Click here	Filtration system, blends with surroundings, water pressure light indicator	4.0
Exo Terra Plant Dripper		–	Click here	Mimics natural environment, stimulates natural drinking behavior, easy to set up	3.5
Fluker’s Reptile Drip System		12oz	Click here	Affordable, easy to set up, small to fit inside enclosure	4.0
BetaZooer Reptile Humidifier Mister Fogger		84.5oz	Click here	Easy to use and set up, auto off, quiet operation, light indicator	4.0

5 Best Chameleon Drip System Reviews

Now that we know what a water drip system is for Chameleons and how important it is for our reptile friends, let’s talk about some of the best Chameleon drip systems to have in their enclosure.

Drip System 1: Zoomed The Big Dripper

Benefits

• Easy to set up and to use
• Adjustable nozzle
• It comes in different sizes

Drawbacks

• The valve may be loose
• Needs space inside your enclosure
• Flow may be too fast or too slow

The Big Dripper from Zoomed is one of the better options for your Chameleon. First, it comes in a few different sizes so that you’re able to get the amount of water you need. In addition, they can come in two packs, so if you have a bigger enclosure, you can have a drip system at two different ends of the terrarium.

While Chameleons shouldn’t be housed together, if you have more than one in two different enclosures, this two-pack will allow you to get them each a drip system at less of a cost.

One of the best things about this dripper is that it’s easy to set up and use. You’ll never have to worry about it not working unless you need to add more fresh water to the container.

Also, the nozzle is adjustable, allowing you to control the flow and how fast the water drips out.

However, you’ll need space inside your enclosure with this drip system. It doesn’t clip onto the sides or anything to take up space.

>> Click here to see the latest prices.

Drip System 2: Giangarden Reptile Water Dispenser

Benefits:

• Includes filtration system
• Blends in with surroundings
• Light indicator for water pressure

Drawbacks:

• You will need to buy filter cartridges
• It cannot attach to the sides of the screened cage
• It does not come with instructions

If you’re looking for something that blends in well with your Chameleon’s environment, then this drip system is the way to go.

While it’s made of plastic, it’s green and has leaves as part of the background where the water flows. Of course, you’ll need to place this inside your Chameleon’s tank, but you can easily put it in a spot that makes it look authentic to your reptile. In fact, this might entice them to drink more often.

You should always provide fresh water for your reptile, but that’s fine if you run out and need to use tap water. This drip system has a double filtration system, so it’s always fresh for your Chameleon.

However, this does mean that you’ll need to buy filter cartridges. The drip system is affordable, but the filters may add up in the long run.

Also, the drip system has a light indicator when it’s time to add new water. For instance, it’s blue when the water is good and will turn red when running out.

>> Click here to see the latest prices.

Drip System 3: Exo Terra Plant Dripper

Benefits:

• Mimics natural environment
• Stimulates natural drinking behavior
• Easy to set up

Drawbacks:

• Expensive
• The pump may clog easily
• Cannot control the flow of water

This product is an excellent Chameleon water dripper. It comes in two different sizes: large and small. So, you’ll be able to get whatever can fit inside your Chameleon’s enclosure.

Since this blends in nicely with your reptile’s environment, you might even want to get two to place at opposite ends of their enclosure. The leaves are made of plastic but mimic their natural environment nicely.

Also, the leaves are set up downward, so the water will drip from the leaves, making it all the more realistic for your Chameleon.

However, you won’t be able to control the flow of the water. It also doesn’t come with a bowl or anything to catch the water underneath. In other words, whatever water that was not drunk from the leaves will result in a puddle at the bottom of your Chameleon’s enclosure.

Also, if the water flow is too fast, then the water will run out quicker.

>> Click here to see the latest prices.

Drip System 4: Fluker’s Reptile Drip System

Benefits:

• Affordable
• Easy to set up
• Small to fit inside the enclosure

Drawbacks:

• It does not attach to the screened sides
• The nozzle may not be adjustable
• Completely made of plastic

This drip system is similar to the first product on this list. However, it’s a lot smaller, does not come in multiple sizes, and it’s a lot more affordable.

On the other hand, it’s entirely made of plastic. So, for example, the nozzle is not made of metal to prevent rust. However, the plastic nozzle (and the inside of the container) can easily get moldy if not cleaned properly or often enough.

Speaking of the nozzle, it might be difficult to adjust the water flow. So, it might end up coming out too fast or too slow for your Chameleon to properly drink out of.

Luckily, it’s small because it doesn’t attach to anything inside the enclosure, and it won’t blend with your Chameleon’s surroundings. It won’t look pretty, but it’ll get the job done keeping your Chameleon hydrated.

In addition, this drip system is affordable, and it’s easy to use. So if you’re in a pinch, this product is a good one to get.

>> Click here to see the latest prices.

Drip System 5: BetaZooer Reptile Humidifier Mister Fogger

Benefits:

• Easy to use and set up
• Automatically shuts off
• Quiet and has a light indicator

Drawbacks:

• The hose may not correct properly
• May not have a good longevity
• Expensive

If you would like to get an automatic mister for Chameleons instead, this product is ideal. Aside from the initial setup and ensuring that there’s enough water there, you won’t need to worry too much about maintenance.

Everything about this mister is automatic. You can adjust how much you want it to mist, and you can even set it to a timer so that it’ll release the fog once every 15 to 30 minutes.

When it’s running out of water, a red light will indicate that you need to add more. Otherwise, if it’s working well and there’s plenty of water, the light indicator will be green.

The best part about this product is that it’s super quiet. So, you and your Chameleon will be able to sleep well while the mister continues to keep the humidity up in their enclosure. Also, it’ll keep your reptile hydrated if your Chameleon gets thirsty in the middle of the night.

However, one of the downsides of this mister is that it might not last as long as you hope it will. Also, it’s expensive, so if it dies, you’ll need to buy a brand new one rather than replace parts.

>> Click here to see the latest prices.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s important to have a drip system or a mister inside your Chameleon’s enclosure. It will mimic their natural habitat as best as possible and promote hydration.

Click here to learn exactly what Chameleons eat in the wild and how often to feed them here. You can learn more about Chameleons here and our complete guide to whether chameleons are dangerous or not here.