Digging Veiled

[Monhutch84]

I have a female Veiled Chameleon about a year old. I noticed yesterday she didn't want to eat (and she is always excited to see crickets). Today while I was gone to work she dug a nice sized hole in the pot of a Ficus tree in her cage and has yet to come out. I had not noticed her tummy any larger lately like she had any eggs in her. I was curious if this could be a sign of anythin else like maybe being ill.

 

[Rob G]

Do you have a laying bin in her enclosure filled with playsand? If not you need one asap. Not eating or digging can both be signs of getting ready to lay

 

[chameleoman]

Do you have a laying bin in her enclosure filled with playsand? If not you need one asap. Not eating or digging can both be signs of getting ready to lay

agreed with the laying bin

 

[Elizadolots]

So, she went into the hole and hasn't come out?

I suspect you'll find she laid eggs.

I agree with putting in a laying bin for her, just in case, but I suspect she's found her place.

From what I've seen, it's not always incredibly obvious when a female is gravid, particularly to someone who hasn't been studying it or living it.

 

[Rob G]

I did not see at first that she hasn't come out of the plant. My bad. Good idea to get a laying bin in with her but more important would be to not bug her or go in the room with her if it is possible. They need privacy to lay and may abandon the hole and become eggbound if she is bothered

 

[Elizadolots]

I did not see at first that she hasn't come out of the plant. My bad. Good idea to get a laying bin in with her but more important would be to not bug her or go in the room with her if it is possible. They need privacy to lay and may abandon the hole and become eggbound if she is bothered

That's a good point. I'd go so far as to toss a towel over three sides of the cage if it can be done without disturbing her.

 

[CammieBaby]

Yeah.. I wanna see ..

Neat take lots of pictures.. My chameleon book on CC said they can lay as early as 4 to 6 months old... I'm excited for you..

 

[Monhutch84]

Well, I came home from work today to find her resting back up at the top of the cage where she usually is with a dirt covered face. Looks like she has covered the hole back in (and managed to completely tear the roots of the poor ficus tree to pieces). I guess I will put a different digging bin in the cage to see if she was just test digging and give her a few more days. Thanks for all the replies

 

[jannb]

Glad to hear that she is well. My Camille laid in her plant the first time she laid eggs and she had two laying bins available. It's really hard on them though digging through all the roots. I have a blog for egg laying/the laying bin that I'm attaching for you below. You might find it helpful.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/jannb/345-egg-laying-laying-bin.html

 

[ChrisH]

I would check where she was digging too. If she covered it back up she might of already layed some eggs.

 

[jannb]

I would check where she was digging too. If she covered it back up she might of already layed some eggs.

She probably laid and finished from the way it sounds. I'd dig them up and see how many she laid.

 

[Monhutch84]

I will check to see if she has laid any eggs, but I want to give her a day or so to chill before getting in there to check.