How long before my female lays her eggs????

[Andregay]

I have veiled chameleons and my one female mated with the male about two and a half weeks ago. I just want to find out when will be the right time to put her in the laying bin so she can lay her eggs.
Are there any signs to watch for? Do I put her in when she stops eating and when she starts going to the bottom of the cage?

 

[BocaJan]

If you haven't already, be sure to read the link at the bottom of my post about Kitty. It has some excellent information regarding females laying eggs.

2 1/2 weeks is still a bit early although you never can tell. Be sure to put a laying bin in her cage so she can become comfortable with it before it is time. I use a small plastic garbage can, big enough so she can comfortably turn around and check it out. Make sure it is about 12" deep. The sand should be wet enough to hold a tunnel because chances are she will dig to the bottom to lay. Good luck!

 

[Andregay]

Thanks she has a laying bin in her cage so Ill just check what she does

 

[chameleonneeds]

Hey Andre. 2 weeks is still early. The usual mark is 30 to 50 days. Mine always lays on the 40th day. I weigh my females every week to see the weight gain. And youl see when she is lumpy with eggs. By the way, have you got an incubator? You wont be able to just put them in a dark cubourd when joburgs weather is like it is. Cheers

 

[CleaTheChameleon]

I agree with the others above. I have noticed that most people say breed your female when she is at least a year and then she lays like 20-35 days later. I bred my female veiled at around 10 or 11 months and she ended up laying 52 days after mating. Whether this has to do with her being a little younger..i dont know. Everything went well for her.

Good luck and as BocaJan said read that link please

 

[Andregay]

I think I might have success! Today when I got home from work I went to check on her and I have little peep holes so she can't see me and I noticed that she was digging so hopefully this is it now and the wait is over. I am going to leave her in peace now until tomorrow morning and check on her again.
By the way my females are both a year and a half old so they aren't too young to breed so I don't think that is a problem. Maybe just cause I didn't know when and if she mated with the male before I bought them.
Here is keeping my fingers crossed that tonight I will have some cham eggs!!!!!!!

 

[Andregay]

Hey Andre. 2 weeks is still early. The usual mark is 30 to 50 days. Mine always lays on the 40th day. I weigh my females every week to see the weight gain. And youl see when she is lumpy with eggs. By the way, have you got an incubator? You wont be able to just put them in a dark cubourd when joburgs weather is like it is. Cheers

Maybe that is why she took so long to lay but looks good at the moment. Yes I have an incubator that has been running for the last two weeks to make sure of the temps so that is all set up, now all I need are the eggs!
Thanks for all the comments I will post as soon as she has laid the eggs

 

[chameleonneeds]

Ok Andre then they mated before you had them because 2 weeks is way to early for veiled gestation. Do you have an incubator? She will probably lay by tomorrow.

 

[Andregay]

Yes I have an incubator, it is up and running, just needs eggs

 

[chameleonneeds]

Ok good. Sorry I missed what you said above, you probably posted it while I was typing, on my cell, lol. I can post those pics you sent me by tomorrow or wednesday, would you like me to??

 

[Andregay]

ag no that is ok I will post new ones as soon as I have taken them those pics I sent you are old and she doesn't look like that anymore.
Now I just have another question. If my female did lay her eggs how will I tell? Seeing as I won't notice where she dug is the any obvious signs that she finishes laying?

 

[chameleonneeds]

Well, when she is laying the eggs she will have her head poking out, then she will start covering the hole, then you know she should be done. Dig carefully for the eggs. When she is done offer her some food and water, she will probably be very exhausted and thirsty.

 

[Andregay]

That part I know, but how do I fisically see if she has laid if I missed seeing her dig and cover the eggs. I think she laid last night, but I want to make sure before I take her out of the laying bin. Will she be noticably thinner or will her colours change, anything like that?

 

[Andregay]

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[chameleonneeds]

Dont think her colours will be any different.
She should look noticeably thin compared to the day before she laid the eggs.
Did she dig, then sit with her head sticking out for a while and then fill in the hole? If she did then she probably laid. You should dig up the eggs now. Also palpate her stomach softly and see if you cant feel any more eggs in her.