Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all. I've been setting up my habitat and hope to get a CB Jax in the next month, and I have a couple of questions. What do you all do to catch all the water from drippers/misters/humidifiers? I'd love to hear about different strategies (I have carpeting) Any pictures would be great. Also, how serious a concern is disease transmission from the cham to humans? I have a compromised immune system, so the stuff I have read about reptiles and salmonella scares me, but they never say any specifics. Is it just kids doing dumb things like putting their pets in their mouths or not washing their hands, or is it more common? Have any of you ever gotten sick, and what precautions do you take? I have read that you should be very careful when cleaning the habitat, but what else? Anyway, I have learned a ton already from these forums so thanks so much!

What do you all do to catch all the water from drippers/misters/humidifiers?

I use a regular pot saucer underneath my plants to catch the water. If anything collects in the saucer, I use a shop vac to suck it out.

Also, how serious a concern is disease transmission from the cham to humans?

If you keep your cages clean.. free of standing water and fecal matter, you should be in good shape.
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Joe
- www.silkwormfarm.com-

i dont see any real threat to contracting any diseases from your chameleon unless he draws blood on u by biting/ claws..

yet... jacksons seem much more passive and chilled out than other chameleons and would less likely bite

i just have my dripper go into the plant and falls into a catching planter below for easy removal

As long as you wash your hands after touching them or caging you should be fine..
Salmonella is overrated when it comes to herps as you stand a better chance of getting it from food. Young Turtles being the exception although i have never known anyone get it.
To catch water from the dripper just place a catch basin (i use a rubbermaid container) about the size of the bottom of your cage. I have a solid bottom cage and place the tub on that..
Not sure what you mean about being very careful when cleaning the cage. I rarely need to clean their cages as feces usually land in catch basin and i use a hand broom and dust pan to sweep up any waste or what ever at the bottom.
My son was diagnosed with cancer when he was five so when he went through chemo and was finally able to come home he had no immune system so all pets had to go. Once he got to a certain level his doctor said he would be ok so i went and bought more herps. So i understand about the immune system. Bottom line, just take the normal handwashing steps (along with what your doctor says) and you should be fine..
Salmonella is very rare from reptiles to humans..
I was also one of those kids who neglected washing my hands when i was a kid who didn't wash his hands (didn't know better lol) after touching lizards, turtles, and frogs but managed to stay healthy so disease transmission is always possible but not likely.
Good Luck and my rant is finished..

I agree. Herps that don't spend time in standing water are very low risk. Also, if you don't have this stuff already it might be a good thing to get. Virosan or Nolvasan from a source like ProExotics is a great all around cleaner you can use on just about any surface including hands, perches, cages and furniture, waterdishes, etc. It kills bacteria and other nasties but is safe for creatures. No strong odor like the alcohol based cleaners either. I keep a dilute solution in a spray bottle near my cages. Every time I clean anything related to herps I use it for a bit of extra insurance.

You guys are the best.