HYDRATION ALERT - DO NOT OVERCARE
Sometimes, providing too much care can be worse than neglecting an animal's needs.
Chameleons are sensitive creatures that require precise and uncompromising care in captivity; otherwise, they may suffer and have shortened lifespans. While it's positive that people are now giving chameleons some basic care and not neglecting them, there is a growing trend of overcaring for these animals.
Some owners mistakenly provide chameleons with excessive amounts of water, treating them as if they were frogs rather than chameleons. This can be fatal for the chameleons. I often encounter questions about how to drain their cages, only to discover that they have their misting system running three times a day for 30 minutes each time, along with an additional 12 hours of fogging during the nighttime. This is clearly too much! The chameleon becomes excessively wet, develops respiratory infections, and fungi can infect its feet. Moreover, the chameleon's internal enzymes become diluted to inefficient concentrations, resulting in a painful death. Excessive water draining also becomes a problem for the owner. I urge you to stop using misting systems and instead opt for a more natural and efficient method of nighttime fogging (if your nighttime temperatures stay below 18°C or 65°F).
Please, take the time to thoroughly read and understand the care guidelines for chameleons and provide them with the appropriate level of care they need.
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Further reading
Harmless substance refers to a substance that typically does not pose any immediate threat or danger to health or well-being. However, when this substance is present in large volumes or concentrations, it can transform or become poisonous, posing potential risks or hazards to individuals or the environment. In other words, the harmless substance can turn into a poison when its quantity exceeds a certain threshold!
Examples:
1. Water: Water is essential for life and is generally considered harmless. However, consuming an excessive amount of water in a short period can lead to water intoxication or hyponatremia. Intoxication can occur when consuming more than 6 liters (1.6 gallons) of water within a few hours, which can cause imbalances in electrolytes and potentially be life-threatening. This for humans, for chameleons, it is 1000-2000times less!!! It starts already at 3-6ml!!!
2. Oxygen: Oxygen is vital for human survival and is harmless when breathed in normal concentrations. However, exposure to high levels of oxygen, such as in a pressurized oxygen chamber, can be toxic. Concentrations above 50% oxygen can cause lung damage, and concentrations above 80% oxygen increase the risk of seizures and other health complications. Same
For chameleons.
3. Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide is a natural component of the Earth's atmosphere and is generally harmless at normal levels. However, in confined spaces with poor ventilation, high concentrations of carbon dioxide can accumulate and displace oxygen, leading to asphyxiation. Concentrations above 5,000 parts per million (ppm) can cause discomfort, and levels above 40,000 ppm can be life-threatening. Same for chameleons.