Was digging but now not??
- Thread starter CatJ
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CatJ
Established Member
I thought so too but can't feel any egg shapes. I did see her digging but it wasn't tunnels, just a pit in the corner of her viv. And it stopped over a week ago. Temp wise she's at 20oC ish at night, 25-26oC daytime and 29-30 basking
What are the dimensions on the bin? is it packed down or can she easily move the substrate?
If you put it on the back right side then used like a solid white poster board you could stick the the poster board to the right side going up halfway and then the front panel below the vent down. This way it is more hidden and not as exposed if she goes down to it.
She is full of eggs.
CatJ
Established Member
Main substrate in viv is 8" x 15" x 4"deep
Tub is 8 x 6 x 4"deep
Both areas are firmly pressed but not solid, and form tunnels when I poke my finger in it. Nothing collapses. I did have cardboard wrapping all 3 sides (with the back against a wall anyway) but she stopped digging ages ago. She seemed to slim down then puff back up!
8x6 may be too small for her. If you can find a tub that you can put in on that right side that is larger that may help. You do not want the substrate to be so firmly packed that she has issues digging. I would cover back up the sides without blocking the vents. The worst thing for a female is to feel exposed when they dig. And they will abandon their tunnels or attempts if they feel like they are being watched.
CatJ
Established Member
OK I'm on it, thank you for your help again
Sonny13
Chameleon Enthusiast
She’s 100% carrying eggs and mostly the first time for them is the hardest, because it’s new (like with humans). You could try to dig a few small tunnels for her and put her in it (I know some members did this), this could maybe trigger her to digger further.
I.e. my girl is laying for 7th time as we speak and the last 4 days she was pacing around the house for a laying spot (she sits free range) and this afternoon we put her back in her free range and she start digging. Again at a different location then the other 6 times.
This was my girl gravid and after she laid
I.e. my girl is laying for 7th time as we speak and the last 4 days she was pacing around the house for a laying spot (she sits free range) and this afternoon we put her back in her free range and she start digging. Again at a different location then the other 6 times.
This was my girl gravid and after she laid
CatJ
Established Member
Wow she's gone so black! Bless her. I'm so worried a out girl. I'm scared that if I make too many changes while she's gravid, it will stress her out. But if I don't try things, I won't know what works for her. Really stressing me out that I can't seem to get this right for her
Sonny13
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hear some background on my horror story of her first time https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/first-successful-free-range-bioactive-egg-laying.182715/
Making some holes won’t be that stressful, maybe let her first explore for herself. Most important, as many mentioned, is to give her privacy. Cover the sides for her, they need to feel secured / unwatched together with the right spot.
Sonny13
Chameleon Enthusiast
This was more the situation you’re in right now https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/extreme-receptive-behavior.182525/#post-1665440
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
I’m going to encourage you to err on the side of caution and get her in to the next available vet appointment you can get and have her checked for egg binding. There’s only so much time until they completely lose all urge to dig/lay and then they’re in trouble. She may need an injection to re-stimulate her or she may need full surgical spaying. Whatever she needs, it’s better to take action before she becomes distressed and weakened.
You said….”I thought so too but can't feel any egg shapes”..please don’t feel her…I worry that it will stress her out and maybe cause problems as well with the eggs if you don’t know what you’re doing.
You said…”I did see her digging but it wasn't tunnels, just a pit in the corner of her viv. And it stopped over a week ago“…please don’t let her see you watching her dig…it can make her stop digging and look for another place to lay the eggs.
You said…”Temp wise she's at 20oC ish at night, 25-26oC daytime and 29-30 basking”..the basking temperature should only be at 80F (Approx 26C, I think”).
As @MissSkittles said…”Whatever she needs, it’s better to take action before she becomes distressed and weakened.”…I definitely agree.
Also, try not to be constantly disturbing her so she has enough privacy to lay the eggs in the meantime.
You said…”I did see her digging but it wasn't tunnels, just a pit in the corner of her viv. And it stopped over a week ago“…please don’t let her see you watching her dig…it can make her stop digging and look for another place to lay the eggs.
You said…”Temp wise she's at 20oC ish at night, 25-26oC daytime and 29-30 basking”..the basking temperature should only be at 80F (Approx 26C, I think”).
As @MissSkittles said…”Whatever she needs, it’s better to take action before she becomes distressed and weakened.”…I definitely agree.
Also, try not to be constantly disturbing her so she has enough privacy to lay the eggs in the meantime.
CatJ
Established Member
I've been watching her via a camara for the most part. Especially when she's been lower down in her viv, I've left the room closed amd quiet so she has peace. She also has a sheet of board around the bottom half of the viv for privacy.
Re temperature, I've been following the guidelines on the chameleon academy as that's referenced lots on these threads. Is this not right?
Re temperature, I've been following the guidelines on the chameleon academy as that's referenced lots on these threads. Is this not right?
Andrew1283
Chameleon Enthusiast
I always keep the bottom of my enclosures bare. For my female veiled I put this Rubbermaid tote in the bottom with 2 parts dirt and 1 part washed play sand. Then I dampen it until it can hold a tunnel. Cover the enclosure with a black sheet and boom she’s good to go.
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elizaann2
Chameleon Enthusiast
Hello! That is correct for panther chameleons. We do tend to keep our girls a little cooler just because the slightly lower temps and less food will help with over egg production. I don't let my girl's basking temp get above 80.
You said…”Re temperature, I've been following the guidelines on the chameleon academy as that's referenced lots on these threads. Is this not right?”…for female egg laying chameleons like panthers and veiled, they lay eggs even without having mated as you already know. If you overfeed them as the approach sexual maturity and keep the temperatures that high, you will push them into laying huge clutches and developing MBD, follicular stasis, and egg binding and this can all kill them….so we feed only 3 or 4 crickets or other insects of the same caloric value … and keep the basking temperature at 80F to slow the metabolism so they won’t be so hungry. This usually will decrease the number of eggs and the fish of reproductive issues. It’s hard to know the precise time to start this “diet” and temperature control because we want them to get enough food to finish their growth, but not so much that they produce too many eggs or follicles.
One more thing…I wouldn’t correct this right now since you’re trying to get her to lay her eggs, but I would remove the wood chips from the floor of the cage because, if she ingests them on purpose or by accident, it could lead to an impaction.
One more thing…I wouldn’t correct this right now since you’re trying to get her to lay her eggs, but I would remove the wood chips from the floor of the cage because, if she ingests them on purpose or by accident, it could lead to an impaction.
CatJ
Established Member
MissSkittles
Chameleon Enthusiast
Poor little lady.The results are in.
Egg bound with liver issues and a calcium deficiency as a result of not eating/drinking. She's had the oxytocin jab and is on a complete do not disturb notice apart from trying to feed until the weekend. If no joy by Monday then it's surgery
It’s so good that you took her in. Hopefully she’ll be able to lay all of the eggs on her own.
It looks like she’s got quite a lot in her though. Do keep us updated on her progress.Similar threads
