Never thought I'd see it...

[royden]

On my last visit to Catherine's to photograph her Nosy Faly's, we took a break at the end of the shoot and decided to take a look at some clutches Catherine had incubating.

"want to see some veiled eggs?"

"sure!"

I'd never seen any before. I longed for the day that I'd have the extra time, space and money to breed chameleons but was resolved with the idea that it would be many years away. How cool would it be to stand there and watch a clutch of chameleons hatch?

I'll tell you how cool it is. When Catherine opened up the container holding the veilded eggs, what did we see?...

I could barely hold up my flash I was so excited.

Of all the days I'd drive down to photograph. What a day I picked! Congrats on the new little clutch Catherine! Two hatched while we watched, the rest came out in the days to come.

 

[FOREVER ENDEAVOR]

thats awsome for the both of you...congrats!

 

[Cainschams]

Very nice pics. I hope you get a chance to have your own hatchlings one day. It definatly is a great experience and very time consuming which Im learning now but still a blast. Again great pics.

 

[dodolah]

just hatched from an egg and already showing some pattern..that one is a looker!

what a cool opportunity! Congrats for both of you.

 

[BocaJan]

How absolutely cool! Every time I see babies hatching I fall in love with chams again.

 

[Kat77]

WOW! How cool is that? I would absolutely love to see that one day. Your photos are beautiful! What a nice birthday present for the little guys!

 

[Sepioteuthis]

Wow! Those are awesome pictures!!!

 

[dante8858]

Those are some great photos!!! I would love to have watched that!!! I remember how small my first cham was when I got her....it makes me want to have a baby!

 

[westcoastchameleons]

Awsome!

Hey, did you even go to Costa Rica??? I could be mistaken, but didnt we have a chat a long time ago?

-Jake

 

[royden]

We did speak Jake, on the phone! And yes Costa Rica was incredible!

Costa Rica photos here -

http://roydenandruth.blogspot.com/2008/03/costa-rica.html
http://roydenandruth.blogspot.com/2008/03/la-fortuna.html
http://roydenandruth.blogspot.com/2008/03/road-to-monteverde.html
http://roydenandruth.blogspot.com/2008/04/we-found-beach-manuel-antonio.html

 

[westcoastchameleons]

Yea..I remeber

Im really glad you ended up going, really amazing trip huh???
Were did you go??!

-Jake

 

[PardalisGirl]

Thanks Royden

Thanks for posting the photos Royden! This was a small clutch. Only 20 eggs were laid and 4 spoiled soon after that. Two died in the egg at what looked like almost full term. The last of the neonates hatched today. That makes a total of 14 hatchlings since July 12th. A very manageable group in number. I was surprised to find the eggs hatching when Royden was here because they had only been incubating for 6 months. The one that hatched today was still under the 7 month mark. I'm glad I asked Royden if he wanted to see some Veiled eggs because they may have gone several more days before I checked them. I did not think they were close at all. I have been wondering if the small clutch number means they were a little better developed individually and therefore hatched faster.

They are highly patterned for hatchlings. They are solid green in their cage but when I stick my hand in there to clean the males fire up with the bold pattern. The father is Kyros:



Kyros is not impressed with fatherhood. I'm sure he would actually like to snack on his offspring. He loves wriggling green things like hornworms. Thanks again Royden

 

[Kat77]

Royden, your Costa Rica photos are breath taking. I am so jealous!

 

[jannb]

I love the little babies.....soooo cute. Great pictures as always!!!!

 

[royden]

Thanks all! I appreciate the comments. It makes the photos so much more worth while when there's a community to share with.

Jake - It was incredible! We went to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.

I loved them all but I think Manuel Antonio was my favorite!

 

[westcoastchameleons]

Thanks all! I appreciate the comments. It makes the photos so much more worth while when there's a community to share with.

Jake - It was incredible! We went to La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.

I loved them all but I think Manuel Antonio was my favorite!

Great man, sounds like it was fullfilling! I loved my trip there too, glad you enjoyed yours!

Jake