Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[camo12]

hi have just noticed my cams mating can any body tell me how long it will be before she lays her eggs. webs sites have no information on this. also need info on keeping the eggs thanks[/b]





I have moved this to the Chameleon section for you, so you will get a better response, Karen

[kroakykaren]

You will know if your female is gravid as she will turn black with yellow and green spots. When you see this coloration I would remove the female. After a successful mating, oviposition will occur between 30-40 days, I would however, put an egg laying tub in the viv on day 20 just in case. Eggs can be incubated in slightly moist vermiculite at 75-80 degrees. I am no expert, and none of this is written in stone, as each chameleon will no doubt differ, if you look on the web and in books there is a plethora of information on the breeding and incubation of chameleons,I am sure others will be along with good advice, in the mean time good luck with them
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[Rickeezee]

Karen has it covered.

Just ensure if / when she does lay the eggs that you give her ample time to cover them back up before removing the nest box else they get very stressed if they dont complete the task. Also its worth planting a ficus tree or similar in the egg laying nest box as they like to lay their eggs near tree / bush roots. Also keep the egg laying medium slightly moist as they will dig to find the correct temperature and moisture level in the soil. A small heat mat can be added to the side of the egg tub to provide a gradient of heat for her to find the right temp to lay the eggs in.

Lastly ensure she has full privacy and cover the Viv with a towel.
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www.rickslivefood.co.uk

[kinyonga]

Are you housing the male and female together? If so I would recommend you keep them in separate cages and only put them together to mate. The stress of them both being housed together will compromise their immune systems.

I always keep a container of washed sandbox sand in the cage of any egglaying female chameleon...that way you won't miss the signs of her need to lay eggs. Also, while the female is digging, don't let her see you watching her or she will abandon the hole. If she abandons it often enough, she could become eggbound. Now...some chameleons dig the same hole for several days before laying the eggs or may dig several holes before settling on one when not watched.

For veiled chameleons, once the eggs have been laid and the female has buried them and returned to the branches, I dig them up. I have a shoebox sized tupperware-type container ready ahead of time. I put two very small holes in the lid of the container and fill the container about half full of just slightly moist vermiculite. I place the eggs in rows in the container and place the lid back on. Be careful not to turn the eggs when moving them from where she laid them to the container. I incubate them at about 78F.

Using this method of incubation, I have had close to 100% hatch rate of fertile eggs. I have kept /hatched/raised veileds for well over 10 years now.


Good luck!

[camo12]

thanks every one for the info it will help a great deal camo12