Is my female veiled chameleon pregnant?

[Phyllischam]

i got her about 4 days ago from a family-owned pet store in NYC. She is less than a year old. has bulges by her hips. still eating her waxworms but not drinking a whole lot.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

Yes, she is gravid! Do you have a lay bin?

 

[Brodybreaux25]

She digging in that first pic?

 

[ERKleRose]

She digging in that first pic?

I think that’s the box they brought her home in?

 

[Phyllischam]

I thought she might be pregnant so i gave her that lay bin. She’s not digging in the pic and she climbed out of it, back onto her ladder.

 

[ERKleRose]

Have you read the veiled care sheet here? It has proper specs for a lay bin

 

[Phyllischam]

Have you read the veiled care sheet here? It has proper specs for a lay bin

Yes I’ve read a bit of the lay bin FAQs. I just wanted to make sure this was the case because I don’t want to stress her out too much (since i just got her/have rearranged the tank a bit/have hung out with her a bit)

 

[ERKleRose]

Yes I’ve read a bit of the lay bin FAQs. I just wanted to make sure this was the case because I don’t want to stress her out too much (since i just got her/have rearranged the tank a bit/have hung out with her a bit)

How deep is the substrate in your lay bin?

 

[Phyllischam]

How deep is the substrate in your lay bin?

Only about 4 inches maybe. I know it should probably be deeper and i think im supposed to have sand instead

 

[ERKleRose]

Only about 4 inches maybe. I know it should probably be deeper and i think im supposed to have sand instead

It needs to be a MINIMUM of 12”

 

[Brodybreaux25]

You can do half sand half organic dirt, minimum depth is 8”, 10”-12” is preferable

 

[ERKleRose]

It needs to be a MINIMUM of 12”

A lot of people use washed play sand. Lowe’s has play sand and a 17” planter that work really well

 

[Brodybreaux25]

I’m at work so I’m backing out, @ERKleRose will take care of you.

 

[ERKleRose]

Here’s the pot:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Garden-Treasures-17-75-in-W-x-17-75-in-H-Black-Plastic-Planter/3878879
Here’s the play sand:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sakrete-50-lb-Play-Sand-Sand/3055675
Here’s a good blog entry on lay bins:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/egg-laying-and-the-laying-bin.345/
Here’s a screenshot of the lay bin info in the veiled care sheet

 

[ERKleRose]

Make sure to thoroughly wash the play sand at least 3 times. You also might have to make a starter hole for her. Make sure to give her privacy (cover her cage and don’t let her see or hear you), and make sure there’s a couple of branches or vines leading towards the lay bin as well. Once you get the chance (after you correct your lay bin, etc.) could you fill out this form and post a pic of the enclosure, as well, please? https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

 

[Phyllischam]

I’m at work so I’m backing out, @ERKleRose will take care of you.

Thanks! Also at work. I’ll leave early and pick up some sand.

 

[Phyllischam]

Make sure to thoroughly wash the play sand at least 3 times. You also might have to make a starter hole for her. Make sure to give her privacy (cover her cage and don’t let her see or hear you), and make sure there’s a couple of branches or vines leading towards the lay bin as well. Once you get the chance (after you correct your lay bin, etc.) could you fill out this form and post a pic of the enclosure, as well, please? https://www.chameleonforums.com/how-ask-help-66/

Sure, I can work on all this tonight. Thabks for your help. She’s alone now.

 

[ERKleRose]

Sure, I can work on all this tonight. Thabks for your help. She’s alone now.

Could you go home at lunch to just deepen the substrate that’s already in her bin? You can still get the play sand and pot after work, this will be just to make sure there’s at least enough depth to lay her eggs if she does do it today while you’re at work

 

[Jesspete]

So, related question, with the females, I see you recommending that the lay bin be a permanent part of the enclosure. Are you adding drainage holes so it doesn't hold water? Do you have to keep a close eye on the moisture levels in the soil?

 

[ERKleRose]

So, related question, with the females, I see you recommending that the lay bin be a permanent part of the enclosure. Are you adding drainage holes so it doesn't hold water? Do you have to keep a close eye on the moisture levels in the soil?

I’ll let @Brodybreaux25 or @jannb answer that one