Egg time? (help needed!)

[Raymond1412]

Hi everyone. Daffie has been acting energetic for quite some time now and showing bright colors, so I know she's going to be ready to lay eggs soon. This has been going on for about a month now, and she keeps climbing on the screen and making laps around her enclosure. She has been down to the egg bin before but she hasn't laid any eggs yet. I'm starting to get worried that she's going to be egg-bound. Daffodil also has a bigger stomach than usual. She's eating and drinking fine, and she's really active. I'm sorry I'm asking so many questions but this is my first female chameleon and I need some guidance. I will attach pictures of her enclosure, egg bin, and pictures of her belly. Also, I tried to get as close to the egg bin as possible, but there were a lot of roots and plants in the way. Thank you all for your help!!

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. How big is her lay bin? I found that mine prefer at least 12” wide, long and deep as well, but I only fill to about 5-6” deep with moistened play sand. Here is my blog if you haven’t already seen it. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ Your sweet Daffy does look gravid. Whether or not she’s been ready to lay, I can’t tell. She is either not quite there yet, she isn’t caring for her options or lacks enough privacy/safety. When mine was ready but didn’t like her options of where to lay her eggs, she wandered restlessly thru her enclosure and there was obvious evidence that she had tried digging in several areas, like her plants, bioactive substrate, even faux background. She was very particular and I had to place her old lay bin that she had always used in her enclosure. Having adequate privacy is a must. She doesn’t recognize that her eggs aren’t fertile and all of her instinct is telling her she needs to deposit them in a safe place and be safe while laying. When I knew my girls were close, I placed a light sheet over the bottom third of their enclosure to give them privacy. I made sure they never knew I was peeking at them as I made small holes in the sheet to do so. If they see us while laying, they may stop and then there’s risk for becoming eggbound.
Just curious how much and how often you’ve been feeding her? The number of eggs they produce corresponds to their diet. When food is plentiful, they produce lots of eggs and this too can increase the risks for problems. Give her privacy by tacking up a sheet or other cover for the bottom half of her enclosure. If you see she’s in her lay bin, no need to worry about feeding her…just leave her to do what she needs to do. Give her a bit of time as she may not yet be ready. Be alert for signs that she is having a problem - not basking, staying low in the enclosure, eyes closed, eggs dropped randomly, not eating/drinking etc. If you see those, the sooner you get her to a vet, the better.

 

[Raymond1412]

Hi. How big is her lay bin? I found that mine prefer at least 12” wide, long and deep as well, but I only fill to about 5-6” deep with moistened play sand. Here is my blog if you haven’t already seen it. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ Your sweet Daffy does look gravid. Whether or not she’s been ready to lay, I can’t tell. She is either not quite there yet, she isn’t caring for her options or lacks enough privacy/safety. When mine was ready but didn’t like her options of where to lay her eggs, she wandered restlessly thru her enclosure and there was obvious evidence that she had tried digging in several areas, like her plants, bioactive substrate, even faux background. She was very particular and I had to place her old lay bin that she had always used in her enclosure. Having adequate privacy is a must. She doesn’t recognize that her eggs aren’t fertile and all of her instinct is telling her she needs to deposit them in a safe place and be safe while laying. When I knew my girls were close, I placed a light sheet over the bottom third of their enclosure to give them privacy. I made sure they never knew I was peeking at them as I made small holes in the sheet to do so. If they see us while laying, they may stop and then there’s risk for becoming eggbound.
Just curious how much and how often you’ve been feeding her? The number of eggs they produce corresponds to their diet. When food is plentiful, they produce lots of eggs and this too can increase the risks for problems. Give her privacy by tacking up a sheet or other cover for the bottom half of her enclosure. If you see she’s in her lay bin, no need to worry about feeding her…just leave her to do what she needs to do. Give her a bit of time as she may not yet be ready. Be alert for signs that she is having a problem - not basking, staying low in the enclosure, eyes closed, eggs dropped randomly, not eating/drinking etc. If you see those, the sooner you get her to a vet, the better.

The egg bin is about 10" wide and 6" long, and I think it's about 4" deep. I do make sure that it's moistened sand and I check it once a week. I did make a fabric curtain covering the bottom half of her enclosure 2 weeks ago. I feed her every other day and she gets around 3-4 medium-sized dubias and sometimes a silkworm or a cricket. I do give her soldier flies so she can hunt for them, but that's only about once a week. She's been really good about basking and staying pretty high up in her enclosure. I haven't seen her with her eyes closed and she's always been good about eating and drinking.

 

[MissSkittles]

The egg bin is about 10" wide and 6" long, and I think it's about 4" deep. I do make sure that it's moistened sand and I check it once a week. I did make a fabric curtain covering the bottom half of her enclosure 2 weeks ago. I feed her every other day and she gets around 3-4 medium-sized dubias and sometimes a silkworm or a cricket. I do give her soldier flies so she can hunt for them, but that's only about once a week. She's been really good about basking and staying pretty high up in her enclosure. I haven't seen her with her eyes closed and she's always been good about eating and drinking.

Ok, if you do see that she tried digging in her bin, but didn’t proceed, I suggest getting a larger bin. From what you’re feeding her, she shouldn’t have a huge clutch of eggs. It’s a stressful time for us, especially if this is her first time laying. As long as your husbandry is correct, the chances of her having any problems is greatly decreased.

 

[Raymond1412]

Ok, if you do see that she tried digging in her bin, but didn’t proceed, I suggest getting a larger bin. From what you’re feeding her, she shouldn’t have a huge clutch of eggs. It’s a stressful time for us, especially if this is her first time laying. As long as your husbandry is correct, the chances of her having any problems is greatly decreased.

Alright, I'll look into getting a larger bin if that happens. I have done a lot of research on the best husbandry, and I think mine is pretty good. Thank you so much for all of your help!!

 

[MissSkittles]

Alright, I'll look into getting a larger bin if that happens. I have done a lot of research on the best husbandry, and I think mine is pretty good. Thank you so much for all of your help!!

You’re very welcome. Do keep us posted on your little beauties progress.