Veiled Chameleon Breeding

[eljerado]

Hello everyone. I'm a first time veiled chameleon enthusiast. I have a raised female Veiled Chameleon who is approx. 1 year, 5 months old. I chose not to breed her right away. About 4 months ago, she layed an 35 egg infertile clutch. She did well after laying them. A few months after this, I could see that she was getting nice and plump again so I bred her with a beautiful 2 year old, high-yellow veiled chameleon. It's been about 1 month since I bred her. She's been digging in her dirt containers for the last week. Last night and this morning, she layed 45 eggs. I removed them from the dirt pit and put them in a 6 quart shoe box sized plastic container with about 3 inches of perilite. The eggs appear healthy, full and white to off-white in color. I spaced them all with about 1 inch in between each other. I will be keeping them in this container to incubate them in a dark closet. I will check on them frequently for temp and humidity levels. My questions are : 1) what is the optimum humidity you should keep your eggs at, and 2) what is the best temperature range to keep them at.
I've been reading that 70 degree temperatures are best. I haven't read of any definitive humidity levels, but only that it shouldn't be too wet or too dry. I will weigh my incubating container to monitor egg weight levels and hydration status'. If anyone could give me some tips, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[kinyonga]

I always incubate veiled eggs in the low 70'sF. I have had close to 100% hatch rate of fertile eggs and a good survival rate of hatchlings.

I was always told take a handful of the moistened vermiculite and squeeze it. If no more hand a drop or two of water came out then it was the right moisture level. Beads of water formed on the underside of the lid and walls of the incubation container.

 

[eljerado]

thanks for the help. alright, Can I use just perilite or is vermiculite a must?

 

[Chase]

Perlite is fine.

Chase

 

[junglefries]

I use a perlite and vermiculite mix. 1/4 perlite. 3/4 vermiculite. Can be a 1/3 and 2/3 mix, if wanted. I truthfully just eyeball the mix. Make sure you can't squeeze water out of the mix. Works every time (knock on wood).

 

[eljerado]

can I purchase vermiculite at a garden store? When I looked at home depot, they looked at me like I was foreign when I asked for it. Right now, my eggs are sitting in just perlite. they've been incubating for 2-3 days now. I think I may need to add more water to the perlite. Also, I'm going to have to move the eggs out in order to mix vermiculite in with the perlite. I've read that you should take caution not to turn the eggs from the original orientation. why is this? because of yolk placement?

 

[Chase]

What's wrong with just perlite?

Chase

 

[eljerado]

to me, it seems fine... I just want to make sure i have the right amount of moisture in the perlite. Should i use the same technique by taking a handful of it and squeeze it?

 

[Chase]

Yes that should be fine.

Chase

 

[junglefries]

Home depot has organic vermiculite. Local gardening store will sell organic perlite. DO NOT BUY THE MIRACLE GRO BRANDS. They look plain, but are not.