confusion about gravid female.
- Thread starter Spammijo
- Start date
Ryan1976
New Member
I wouldn't worry too much. I have a Female Veiled and she eats approximately what your Cham eats... but she eats Crickets. A common behavior of Female Veiled Cham's is that they will have a very sudden SPIKE in appetite when they are producing eggs!! My Female doesn't eat much, but when she is producing eggs, she eats like a cow!! The first time she laid.... I knew she was ready. So, I put the bucket with sand in her habitat. She actually dug for 3 days before actually laying any eggs. When she was finished, she ended up laying 55 eggs!! Pretty much like your Cham. The amount of food has NOTHING to do with how many eggs they produce or when & where they will lay. She's perfectly fine and that amount of eggs is totally normal. They can actually lay up to 80-100 eggs!! But in captivity, it's usually lower. I do agree with the other member, the basking temp might be a little too high. I would bring that down a little bit. If you have a larger sized habitat however, the Cham will always move away from higher temps if they get too hot.... but, that's ONLY if you have a large enough habitat. Just make sure not to "burn" her with a heat lamp. My opinion would be... no hotter than 80 degrees at the HOTTEST!! Never be afraid to do your own research though! Also, you need time to "Get to know your Cham". Some Chams prefer different things.... but the "basics are the basics". For example.... Most people say Chams are solitary & don't like to be handled. Well, they ARE wrong!! My Cham knows me enough that she will actually come to me!! Unfortunately, you can't trust all advise and experts. Remember that.... get to know her!!
However, I always suggest leaving the nesting/laying box in the habitat until you see her not going to the bottom of the habitat anymore. Normally, females will only go to the bottom of their habitat because they are looking for a nesting area. Removing eggs she previously laid will NOT effect her. She has no clue you took those eggs out. I suggest washing your hands thoroughly with a mild soap before doing so. Remember, animals can smell NASTY HUMANS from a mile away!! LOL!! Normally, they will lay all eggs at one time. However, on the very rare occasion that they need to lay again, she will not notice that you "STOLE" her previous eggs. She will be perfectly fine. Remember, of all the Chameleon species, Veiled's are the most resilient!! The worst thing you can do to a Female with eggs is.... NOT provide a place to lay eggs!! That is the MOST common reason they become egg bound & possibly die.
Trust me, if you're an animal lover like me.... you will get to know your Cham & her attitudes/personality!! Before long... YOU will know what SHE wants BEFORE SHE DOES!! Trust me!! And Good Luck.... I hope you have a great life with her! Oh, remember... they actually DO know their "owner or master"... scientifically proven!! Have fun and cherish her! Sorry for the long post!! : )
However, I always suggest leaving the nesting/laying box in the habitat until you see her not going to the bottom of the habitat anymore. Normally, females will only go to the bottom of their habitat because they are looking for a nesting area. Removing eggs she previously laid will NOT effect her. She has no clue you took those eggs out. I suggest washing your hands thoroughly with a mild soap before doing so. Remember, animals can smell NASTY HUMANS from a mile away!! LOL!! Normally, they will lay all eggs at one time. However, on the very rare occasion that they need to lay again, she will not notice that you "STOLE" her previous eggs. She will be perfectly fine. Remember, of all the Chameleon species, Veiled's are the most resilient!! The worst thing you can do to a Female with eggs is.... NOT provide a place to lay eggs!! That is the MOST common reason they become egg bound & possibly die.
Trust me, if you're an animal lover like me.... you will get to know your Cham & her attitudes/personality!! Before long... YOU will know what SHE wants BEFORE SHE DOES!! Trust me!! And Good Luck.... I hope you have a great life with her! Oh, remember... they actually DO know their "owner or master"... scientifically proven!! Have fun and cherish her! Sorry for the long post!! : )
camimom
New Member
The amount of food a female is fed DOES impact the amount of eggs she lays.
Just because females in the wild lay 80-100 eggs, DOES NOT MEAN ITS HEALTHY!
By reducing the amount of food fed, and lowering the basking temps to 80-83, you can reduce the number of eggs laid. WHICH IN TURN IS HEALTHIER FOR HER.
producin and laying eggs takes a toll on females. by reducing the number of eggs laid, it can allow the female to be healthier and live longer.
Just because females in the wild lay 80-100 eggs, DOES NOT MEAN ITS HEALTHY!
By reducing the amount of food fed, and lowering the basking temps to 80-83, you can reduce the number of eggs laid. WHICH IN TURN IS HEALTHIER FOR HER.
producin and laying eggs takes a toll on females. by reducing the number of eggs laid, it can allow the female to be healthier and live longer.
Thanks. I had her for a year and yea your right she loves being out and she knows me! I swear she recongnizes my voice at times. She is far from text book. the only thing with her is she does spend time at the bottom of her cage which is 3ft when she wants my attention to get out but i knew she was gravid as she stopped eating and was hissing at me. I do always leave her bin in there as I am a worry wart I love her loads. Thanks for all ur advice. sam
