New Female Veiled - 1st-time owner with questions regarding overall setup and diet
- Thread starter Julia777
- Start date
Julia777
Established Member
I found an older post of yours that cautioned someone against using beach sand, so that's why I am waiting til tomorrow. Thanks again. You are the best!!!
Julia777
Established Member
Yes, I am totally panicked! I am in midst of preparing for job interview early tomorrow and now I will barely sleep. Ugh!
Julia777
Established Member
Thank you
I hope I can return the favor of offering you support sometime. Have a wonderful night.
Julia777
Established Member
Ah, that makes sense. At least you know I really value your input, even in retrospect...lol.
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Sorry I did not respond . I did not get Notification . You were in great hands . I agree she does not have receptive colors . Here is an example of what she will look like . It will happen very quickly . She will show these colors for a month to six weeks before she's ready to lay . She will not go back to green till after she lays .
Julia777
Established Member
Thanks so much for your reply, Kristen. My confusion was that some of the information I read online said that not all pregnant chams show color changes. In your experience, is it the case that they always show the change in colors? I was so panicked I went out right away this AM, bought supplies and put a bin in her cage. I am wondering if i can take it out since there are no permanent color changes but want to be sure that all pregnant chams will show color changes for extended period prior to egg laying...
Julia777
Established Member
I just found this old post:
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kinyongaChameleon Enthusiast
Ems asked..."do they all get pregnant?"...to some extent it depends on how you feed them and the temperatures that you keep them at. I have one veiled (and she is not the exception to the rule at my house) that is 6+ now and has never laid a single egg. I have another one right now that is over 4 and hasn't laid a single egg. My veileds also don't lay those huge clutches...they are always in the area of two dozen.
You asked..."Does she only show gravid coloration when a male is in the area or can they show when she is all alone?"...I have had some that will show it to another female or another lizard, some that will show me that color when I go near the cage and some that lose the color unless a male is in sight.
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So, it looks like showing the color change 24/7 is not a sure thing, as I don't have a male cham or another female cham. But...she did briefly show the color change when my sister came into the room (just for a minute).
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kinyongaChameleon Enthusiast
Ems asked..."do they all get pregnant?"...to some extent it depends on how you feed them and the temperatures that you keep them at. I have one veiled (and she is not the exception to the rule at my house) that is 6+ now and has never laid a single egg. I have another one right now that is over 4 and hasn't laid a single egg. My veileds also don't lay those huge clutches...they are always in the area of two dozen.
You asked..."Does she only show gravid coloration when a male is in the area or can they show when she is all alone?"...I have had some that will show it to another female or another lizard, some that will show me that color when I go near the cage and some that lose the color unless a male is in sight.
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So, it looks like showing the color change 24/7 is not a sure thing, as I don't have a male cham or another female cham. But...she did briefly show the color change when my sister came into the room (just for a minute).
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
This is true occasionally their are chameleons to be reported to have no change in color but got fat . I have also read cases of 4 month old chameleons laying . So being prepared/ready always is best .
Julia777
Established Member
Okay, thanks!
Julia777
Established Member
If she starts digging, I understand that I ought to leave her alone.
- At this point, do I still put crickets and worms in the cage or will she not eat during the digging period?
- Also, should I mist the leaves in the cage during the digging period?
- And it is said they like privacy and to cover cage with a sheet or towel if they start digging. Does this mean that overhead lights should be turned off (as could be fire hazard to have lights on top of cage with towel/sheet covering cage)?
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Just check it daily to make sure tunnels won't collapse .
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Yes you need to leave her alone . If she see's you and feels threatened she will abandon laying become egg bound . Coving her enclosure is best . Everything on timers is best just add her food to her how ever her schedule is quickly . If she actually digging leave her be . Our girl took days to find her Perfect spot . If she was up basking I offered her food and she ate . She never stopped eating but often they do stop eating .
Julia777
Established Member
How often do you peek under sheet/towel to see if she is digging or out up on branch and possibly thirsty?
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Lots of keeper put like a WebCam set up so they can see all the time . You could put a baby monitor that has a visual . I cut a little hole where she could not see me looking in . I was very nervous . She took a very long time months to start digging them days almost a week of digging before she laid .
Kristen Wilkins
Chameleon Enthusiast
Do you hand mist or do you have a misting System .
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