To breed or not to breed...

That is the question!

I have had a female veil for a year now. She has laid infertile eggs with me twice. I assume she is about 2 years old, because she has not grown TOO much since I adopted her a year ago. (At least I don't think so. Some of my friends think she's grown a lot, but all I notice is her crest has become taller)

Anyway, the first time she laid eggs, I was a panicky wreck, thinking "Oh god oh god oh god". The second time she laid eggs, I was calm and cool, and thinking "Finally! Yay!"

Since I am feeling more comfortable with her needs, I have been looking longingly at her unused, first cage (a 30 something gallon screen cage) and kinda wishing I could raise a baby male to be much more friendly and social than she is. I am also very interested in free ranging a male, if I can.

What I am really curious about, is it worth it to breed them? She is not an interesting looking veil. She is plain, except when she's gravid.

I have only an average budget and would probably get an unremarkable male as well.

Is there any point in breeding unremarkable chameleons? Should breeding be saved for people with the intent to breed amazing colours from amazing parents? I don't think that's within my realm of ability, as I am not the sort to spend thousands of dollars on brilliantly coloured reptiles that have been specifically bred for pattern.

Should I bother? I really want the challenge, and the opportunity to raise a cham from a baby, but if it's pointless to make average looking chams, and hard on the market (I imagine I'd have to sell them to a pet store or online) if they aren't special in any way, I'll try and get over my urge.

Thoughts?

GO FOR IT!!!! it doesnt matter how each parent looks because think about it where do you think the first great looking chams come from? probably a plain looking mom and dad but the more she is mated in life the time she has left to live will be shortened

If you're on a small budget in the first place personally I wouldn't. It doesn't matter the looks of the parents, but taking care of the babies is going to cost a lot and there could be unexpected things along the way that you'd need cash for. It's a big responsibility, but if you feel like you are fully prepared then go for it, but make sure you research every single tidbit first.

i never knew.

chameleoman said:

GO FOR IT!!!! it doesnt matter how each parent looks because think about it where do you think the first great looking chams come from? probably a plain looking mom and dad but the more she is mated in life the time she has left to live will be shortened

Click to expand...

So does the mating go only for vieled females? or does it go for all species of chams and all sexes.

Raising babies is very expensive and time consuming. A couple of older threads you should read before you make up your mind.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/some-thoughts-breeding-2612/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/cost-raising-69-baby-veileds-18467/

I'd really cut back on her feeding. If she's laid two infertile clutches in one year you are overfeeding. Maybe take a different look or step into chameleon husbandry. Instead of the wear and tear on her body producing eggs that are infertile... Why not try to keep her from producing eggs at all or try to lengthen to time between infertile clutches. My guess is that she is producing relatively large infertile clutches. Try to imagine feeding 50 baby veiled chameleons. A dozen FF cultures, thousands of pinhead crickets, then 1/4" crickets, and so on. Can you be there to mist and feed them several times a day? Can you find homes for 50 babies? Better yet... Can you find 50 GOOD homes for your babies? Do you have enough cages to house the babies if you can not sell them?

Just my two cents

Ditto Jann!

That's a perfect list of threads

Good advice, everyone, thanks!

Maybe the challenge I really need is raising a baby boy just for what it is.

However, I do want to know more about slowing down her egg laying. When I got her, I had no idea what an adult cham looked like, so I thought she was juvi. I fed her twice a day, and quite a lot. When someone found out, they were all, "What are you doing!?" so I trimmed down to feeding her every other day. Actually, once in a while I go 2 days without feeding her and feel like an evil person! She has her own ficus benjimina though, so I know I'm not evil.

I used to feed her on crickets (gutloaded with assorted veg and dry crick mix and properly dusted) regularly, but since I moved across town, I'm not as close to a pet store I like, and she became gravid, I started buying large mealworms and waxworms, so she'd have all the nutrients she needed, with the occasional horn worm (once or twice a month, as a treat). I buy crickets less now, because the closer pet store sells awful, wimpy, small crickets and I don't like them.

What's a better way to feed her?

Oh, and both times she laid, there were 36-38 eggs.