 Hydration & Humidity
Chameleons rarely drink from standing water, and are far more likely to obtain their moisture from drops left on leaves, or during actual rainfall. For this reason, a basic drip system is recommended. This can be as simple as a plastic cup sitting on top of a cage, with a pinhole in its base, allowing a regular drip down into a plant within the cage. The cup should be large enough, or refilled often enough, to allow a drip duration of 20-30 minutes, at a rate of approximately one drop per second, done at least once per day. Inexpensive drip systems, such as a plastic container fitted with an adjustable valve, are available at your local pet store. For the more enterprising hobbyist, drip hoses and automatic sprinkler systems are available. But realize that any elaborate or aesthetic mister or fogger is more a need of the keeper‘ wishes, and not realistic to the animals natural environment.
Panther chameleons seem to do best when the relative humidity averages about 70%. This is not always possible for many hobbyists. Simple humidifiers can help solve the problem. In the wintertime, in colder latitudes, the air inside a heated room will be significantly dryer than during the summertime. In such instances, your chameleon will need to be hydrated more often, and should have access to dripped water sessions 2-3 times daily.
Dripping water also needs to be managed so as not to damage the underlying floor, especially indoors. This may require the use of some sort of plastic tray or other water barrier beneath the cage. In all case, better to over-water than under-water.
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