Strange behavior

[motheromargo]

Hello! For the last week Margo (8 month old female veiled) has been completely restless, a darker color than usual (her color in the pictures is a little lighter than I’ve been seeing her), and her appetite has lowered. She’s normally a pretty light green. Her environment is suitable for her, she lives in a 24x24x48 enclosure, her temperature sits at 72 (She typically loves it at that temp) her humidity is around 50% during the day and 70-80% at night. She has a UVB light bar, a basking bulb, and a ceramic heat lamp (during winter months). Her enclosure has an abundance of live and fake plants so she has plenty of room to hide (I know some people don’t like the fake plants but they work for Margo as she is not a chewer). She also has a laying bin ready for her whenever at the bottom of her cage. I am giving her treat bugs as I’ve noticed she’s been upset this last week but she wont take anything. She behaved similarly before her last shed but this time she is completely restless (her weight does not indicate that she is ready to lay a clutch) she spends the whole day climbing up and down the walls and her branches. She is normally active during some parts of the day but this is significantly more than usual. What am I doing wrong? Pls help I just want Margo to be happy again! (She looks a little stunned in the photos because she is not a huge fan of me being up close to her, especially with a camera).

 

[jannb]

She looks to have a lot of eggs? Does she have a laying bin?

 

[elizaann2]

My guess is she is getting ready to lay her eggs. Can you share a photo of her laybin?

 

[motheromargo]

Hello! For the last week Margo (8 month old female veiled) has been completely restless, a darker color than usual, and her appetite has lowered. Her environment is suitable for her, she lives in a 24x24x48 enclosure, her temperature sits at 72 (She typically loves it at that temp) her humidity is around 50% during the day and 70-80% at night. Her enclosure has an abundance of live and fake plants so she has plenty of room to hide (I know some people don’t like the fake plants but they work for Margo as she is not a chewer). I am giving her treat bugs as I’ve noticed she’s been upset this last week but she wont take anything. She behaved similarly before her last shed but this time she is completely restless (her weight does not indicate that she is ready to lay a clutch) she spends the whole day climbing up and down the walls and her branches. She is normally active during some parts of the day but this is significantly more than usual. What am I doing wrong? Pls help I just want Margo to be happy again!

She looks to have a lot of eggs? Does she have a laying bin?

Yes she does have one, ill attach a picture

 

[motheromargo]

My guess is she is getting ready to lay her eggs. Can you share a photo of her laybin?

The bin has about 6 inches of organic soil that is slightly damp so she can dig a hold safely. She’s discovered it but I’m worried she doesn’t see it as a good place to lay eggs. I’ve been thinking about adding enough soil to reach the top of the bin, should I do that?

 

[elizaann2]

The bin has about 6 inches of organic soil that is slightly damp so she can dig a hold safely. She’s discovered it but I’m worried she doesn’t see it as a good place to lay eggs. I’ve been thinking about adding enough soil to reach the top of the bin, should I do that?

how many inches of soil is in there now?

 

[motheromargo]

how many inches of soil is in there now?

There’s 6 inches in there right now.

 

[MissSkittles]

Hi. I don’t see any way for her to get in or out of the lay bin. Try adding some sturdy vine or branches for her to enter/exit. I also try to have a pothos vine dangling down into my bin, just in case. She will also need absolute privacy. Try covering up just the bottom third or half of the enclosure with a light sheet. If you see her in the bin, just leave her be and try not to be seen by her.

 

[motheromargo]

Hi. I don’t see any way for her to get in or out of the lay bin. Try adding some sturdy vine or branches for her to enter/exit. I also try to have a pothos vine dangling down into my bin, just in case. She will also need absolute privacy. Try covering up just the bottom third or half of the enclosure with a light sheet. If you see her in the bin, just leave her be and try not to be seen by her.

Thank you I will add these to her enclosure! I’m also not certain that she’s ready to lay eggs yet because she hasn’t gained any weight. Would there be any other reason for her behavior?

 

[motheromargo]

I put a sheet up, added a clear path to the bin, and filled it with more soil (12 inches now)

 

[Motherlode Chameleon]

I hope your female Chamaeleo calypatratus lays a clutch of eggs for you.

Best Regards
Jeremy A. Rich

 

[MissSkittles]

Sorry, but I’m a bit under the weather and not the brightest crayon in the box right now. When did she first develop her colors? Was she restless the same then as she is now?

 

[motheromargo]

Sorry, but I’m a bit under the weather and not the brightest crayon in the box right now. When did she first develop her colors? Was she restless the same then as she is now?

Her darker colors developed about a week ago. She is normally a happy bright green.

 

[MissSkittles]

Her darker colors developed about a week ago. She is normally a happy bright green.

It sounds that she has just reached maturity and is having her receptive period right now then. Basically she’s gotten all prettied up and is now desperately searching for a mate. This period can last anywhere from a week to several and precedes egg laying. My blog may help you a bit, if you haven’t already read it. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ For right now, it’s probably safe to take down the sheet, but do keep it handy as she will be expected to lay some eggs sometime within the next month or so. I’d keep the soil depth at around 6” in the lay bin. They do dig all the way to the bottom, and that’s just extra work for her. Do keep the bin in her enclosure though, so when she’s ready, it’s there.

 

[elizaann2]

I wouldn't add more soil, it will just make her have to dig more and creates a risk for the hole she is digging to collapse. Keep the soil at 6 inches. I agree with @MissSkittles, she needs ways to get into her lay bin. You can also add some leaf litter on the top, add a live plant to create a root system for her to lay her eggs against.

 

[motheromargo]

It sounds that she has just reached maturity and is having her receptive period right now then. Basically she’s gotten all prettied up and is now desperately searching for a mate. This period can last anywhere from a week to several and precedes egg laying. My blog may help you a bit, if you haven’t already read it. https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/veiled-chameleon-laying-101.2488/ For right now, it’s probably safe to take down the sheet, but do keep it handy as she will be expected to lay some eggs sometime within the next month or so. I’d keep the soil depth at around 6” in the lay bin. They do dig all the way to the bottom, and that’s just extra work for her. Do keep the bin in her enclosure though, so when she’s ready, it’s there.

Thank you so much!

 

[motheromargo]

I wouldn't add more soil, it will just make her have to dig more and creates a risk for the hole she is digging to collapse. Keep the soil at 6 inches. I agree with @MissSkittles, she needs ways to get into her lay bin. You can also add some leaf litter on the top, add a live plant to create a root system for her to lay her eggs against.

Thanks for the insight!