egg laying

[soggysandwich]

I was wondering if anyone has heard of female chameleons laying eggs even if they have not be around males. I was reading some caresheets and some people said they have lost chameleons because they did not provide a place for there chameleon to lay eggs. if so, what would you guys recomend for putting in my cage for the chameleon. Thanks, Nick

 

[YJHB]

Well, you put a container of sphagnum moss in there...here's some great links that should give you all the information you need - http://www.adcham.com/ http://www.animalarkshelter.org/cin/
http://www.chameleonjournals.com/information/
Hope these are helpful...and yes, I am almost positive that panther females do lay eggs even in the absence of a male...it is very hard on them.

 

[Karen Hulvey]

Yes chameleons can and will lay eggs without ever being exposed to a male. You didn't say what type of chameleon you have so I will assume it's a veiled as that's the chameleon that is mostly seen in the pet trade other than the Jackson's and they have live birth.

The veiled chameleon can start laying eggs when she is around 6-8 months of age depending on size. A small 6 m/o will not lay eggs but one that eats like a pig and is large for a 6 m/o one can lay that young.

I would give her a moist sandy area in which to lay her eggs. Make the sand about 5"-8" deep. I've used a 5 gallon bucket cut in half before but that was in a large, large enclosure. You can use tupperware, Sterilite or Rubbermaid tubs too.

You will get a pretty good idea of about when she is ready to lay her eggs because she will go to the bottom of the enclosure and stay there searching and searching and even digging in the substrate, if you use any.

She needs plenty of calcium with vitamin D3 and a place to lay her eggs and she will be just fine. Lack of any of these things can cause egg binding.

 

[soggysandwich]

thanks, i have veiled and she is almost 2 yrs old and she really hasnt been walking around the bottom of the cage. also, i dont think my cage is big enough for half of a 5 gallon bucket. Here is my chameleon:

and her cage:

 

[Dave W.]

Howdy,

Also, take a read through http://www.chameleonnews.com/ and especially the "Article Reference" tab at the top. Check out the "PRENATAL and NEONATAL CARE" section under that tab.

 

[Karen Hulvey]

She sure is a pretty lady. Nice set up for her too.

I wouldn't worry too much. If she hasn't laid any eggs in almost 2 years, she probably won't. They are very similar to hen caged birds. When kept singly, some will lay eggs when they become mature and some never do.

If you see her hanging around the bottom of the cage, get something in there for her to lay in. Spaghnum moss should work too, just make sure it's deep.

 

[Chris Anderson]

I would recommend sand, soil or a mix over sphagnum for a chameleon. Here is a good article on putting together a nesting site (http://www.chameleonnews.com/year2003/jan2003/nesting/nesting.html). Just keep an eye out for gravid coloration, nesting behavior or other indications of being gravid and be ready to respond accordingly.

Chris