Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a little confused. I read there should be a dish of water in the tank so they can drink from it. Then I read not to put a water dish in, but mist their rocks and they will drink from that.Which one is correct?

Truth is, which ever one works for you Rich! I have never seen any of my HL's drink from a dish, but I keep one in there anyways. I mist rocks, plants, and their noses a couple times a week. So however you can get them to take water, is the right way to hydrate them!
-Ryan

Anyone who tells you that you "must" have a dish of water in there, but fails to mention that they usually drink from rain harvesting, doesn't know much about HLs.

I have only witnessed one instance where a HL drank from a dish. I kept one around for my cornutum because he liked to bask in it. My solare could care less about soaking in a dish though, and it only gets dirty being in there.
-----
"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246

A shallow water dish is a benefit in case you cannot always wist. A water dish will simulate a rain puddle. I have used it for years on captive study HLs and have never had a problem. Adult and hatchlings benefit from a readily available water sourch if temps are too hot and available food items are deficient in water resources. Change water daily though. Use distilled water whenever possible to minimize mineral content typically found in tap water.

Lester G. Milroy III
Conservation Biologist

I only use bottle water. Never tap water. Thanks

Lester, do you frequently see your HLs actually drinking from a dish? If so, is there any pattern as to species? I have only observed this once or twice, and it was with very young juveniles.
-----
"A man that should call everything by it's right name, would hardly pass the streets without being knocked down as a common enemy." The Complete Works of George Savile, First Marquess of Halifax 1912,246

All of the horned lizard species I have worked with in caprivity (8 species) would drink from shallow water dishes. Hatchlings as well as adults would drink from the dish with no problem or coaxing. Misting sometimes was a prode to drink. The behavior was probably associated with "rain harvesting."

Lester G. Milroy III
Conservation Biologist

I drip a few drops on the HL's body,sorta to simulate rain,then a few drops on its head/snout.They will start to open there mouth and I just put the drops on there chin,as they just lap it up.Works great for me.Read some where to use Pedialyte like kids get.They seem to love it.scott.