Help with preparation of birth!

[Kaylee1]

So I recently bought a female veiled chameleon from a pet store, and I really would like to know all the signs that she's getting close to having her eggs. I'm not sure if she's going to lay infertile eggs or if any males had gotten to her previously. I asked a member about what they think her age is, and they were guessing about 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 months old(?) So far I've read about keeping a 5 gallon bucket filled about 6-12 inches with a play sand/dirt mixture to build tunnels and to keep plants as if she was in her cage. Do you need a screen over the top with her normal lighting or what? I'm stuck on small things, and i really need some signs that she's getting ready to have them or is pregnant. I heard that it could be 6 months in that she does so?

She moves all around all day, and lately she's been trying to get towards the bottom (I was thinking to reach the water with bubbler sensing movement or trying yo explore) but I'm not sure that's the case. She eats here and there maybe a couple not too many. She sleeps the moment I turn all the lights down for bed time and wakes when i do the next day to turn the lights back on. Please please help me with all the information you have! Im new to this and i need all the critical info to make sure my little Rosee is going to be happy and healthy. - I can grab more pics if needed in a little while. When she walks she looks skinnier than she does sitting in some pictures.

 

[alphakenc]

Welcome to the chameleon parenthood ,where thousands chameleons lovers are worrying just like u.From the pics u showing ,I dont think she is gravid since her color is still pretty green n normal,but its always good to have a laying bin set up in ur cage.Usually when the female veiled are gravid,they will increase their appetite in the beginning,eat everything in sight,and once they closed to lay their eggs ,their appetite will decrease,they start roaming around to the bottom of the cage searching for the perfect place to drop their eggs,and yes u do need a screen over the top on ur normal lighting,nothing change except u got a new bucket of playsand for her to dig n lay,and alpha Mama say do not over worry about ur Rosee,u will know when the times come when she is ready to "push" those eggs out in that playsand ,do not disturb her so she can lay those jelly bean eggs in peace,her instinct to lay is already planned in her mind just like all of the great mothers human ready for their firstborn....all they need to do is "push and more push".
Keep up with ur calcium supplements daily n feed her with the gutloaded feeders,and leave the rest for her to decide when the time comes,hope this help u a bit.

 

[JGuinan007]

She is still a baby

 

[alphakenc]

And that is correct,some veiled female can develop pretty fast in 6month,its always good to plan for the laying part.

 

[MissLissa]

Kaylee1, I'm sure sure what you mean about the screen? Usually cham keepers put the whole laying bin in their female's cage, well before she is ready to lay, so she can get used to it. It sounds like maybe you thought you had to put her in the bucket and were looking for a way to keep her inside? When she is ready, if you have the lay bin in her cage, she will put herself in the bucket, as long as there is an access point via a branch or vine. Do watch her with the soil, though, as a few lady chams have a bad habit of eating it if they aren't ready to dig in it! Not usually a problem if their basking temperature is right, but there is a risk of impaction if she decides to gulp down dirt.

Your veiled is still young yet and is not likely to lay for a while, but good on you for looking for information before that happens!

Off topic:
May I ask... why do you have "water with bubbler" in her enclosure? This is not usually something most cham owners use, as it is a huge reservoir for bacterial growth and most chameleons won't drink from it in any case- just poop in it! With a proper misting and dripper schedule, you shouldn't need a pool or bowl of water in your cham's cage.

 

[Kaylee1]

Welcome to the chameleon parenthood ,where thousands chameleons lovers are worrying just like u.From the pics u showing ,I dont think she is gravid since her color is still pretty green n normal,but its always good to have a laying bin set up in ur cage.Usually when the female veiled are gravid,they will increase their appetite in the beginning,eat everything in sight,and once they closed to lay their eggs ,their appetite will decrease,they start roaming around to the bottom of the cage searching for the perfect place to drop their eggs,and yes u do need a screen over the top on ur normal lighting,nothing change except u got a new bucket of playsand for her to dig n lay,and alpha Mama say do not over worry about ur Rosee,u will know when the times come when she is ready to "push" those eggs out in that playsand ,do not disturb her so she can lay those jelly bean eggs in peace,her instinct to lay is already planned in her mind just like all of the great mothers human ready for their firstborn....all they need to do is "push and more push".
Keep up with ur calcium supplements daily n feed her with the gutloaded feeders,and leave the rest for her to decide when the time comes,hope this help u a bit.

So should I just be setting the bucket in her cage then with everything? I shouldn't need the screen if it's just in the cage correct? When will i will I know when she's got the eggs & ready to release, you said something about coloring? Sorry so many questions but I am just preparing for everything thank you so much!!

 

[alphakenc]

Yes u should set a bucket of organic playsand in her cage since u are a worry mom,do it when she get bigger in her stomach area and eat like a piggy,u will start noticed the weight difference or u can get a food scale to weight her just to be sure,when its gravid the color will be green blue and black,different from ur pic showing,and dont worry too much ,drink some kool-aid and listen to some Beethoven ,since its ur cham getting gravid not u.
U are more than welcome n good luck.

 

[MissLissa]

So should I just be setting the bucket in her cage then with everything? I shouldn't need the screen if it's just in the cage correct? When will i will I know when she's got the eggs & ready to release, you said something about coloring? Sorry so many questions but I am just preparing for everything thank you so much!!

Yes,the laying bin with the soil mixture goes right in her cage. You don't need to screen it.

When gravid, female chameleons start roaming their cages very actively, spending a lot of time near the bottom. They may eat more initially, as the eggs are forming, but near to laying time their appetite usually drops off. They will also almost always display "gravid colours"- usually a dark base colour with brilliant stripes and spots. This advertises to any interested males that this female is unavailable, and probably very grumpy, so leave they will leave her be! It's very distinctive, but if she is not bred she may not display an extreme change. However, gravid females will generally "balloon out" - they get fat!

If you use the search function on this site and search "gravid veiled" there are a ton a threads to read with good information.