Am I expecting?

[Ican]

Are there any signs to tell if my female jackson might be expecting besides an obvious tummy bulge? I have had her a couple months now and am noticing a significant increase in appetite along with size. Also, the place I got her from did have her housed together with a male for about 5 days prior to me taking her.

 

[Chase]

Umm its a possibility. Read this about breeding and general care of Jackson's.



http://www.adcham.com/html/taxonomy/species/chjacksonixanth.html

 

[Ican]

Thanks for the info. What I am looking for is maybe a physical sign like change in coloration or swollen feet or something, haha. Anyone have any pointers?

 

[Chase]

Well, how long have you had her?

 

[Ican]

I picked her up mid January.

 

[Chase]

Ok, well gestation is 5-10 Months so you could have babies soon, or you will have to wait a while.

 

[Trace]

Ok, well gestation is 5-10 Months so you could have babies soon, or you will have to wait a while.

Wow! Another cutting edge, thinking outside the box, insight from you.

Ican: I can't tell you if your little girl is gravid or not. From your pics in your gallery she doesn't look it, but she's only a short time along if she is and at 2 months gestation the females will be bigger but not huge. The natural seasonal change (longer days, warmer temps etc.) does bring increased appetites in most chameleons so her weight may just be that.

That said, keep her the best conditions possible. Dean Pulcini gave you some excellent husbandry advice on another thread so follow that. (I keep my montanes about the same way.)You don't want to take a chance with her health and well being if she is in that "delicate way". Keep track of her weight on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Do you have a scale?

FWIW: my livebearing chameleons usually give birth around the 6 month mark and they start looking huge (like tennis balls with feet kind of thing) at about 4 months into gestation.

Good luck! Keep us all posted.
Trace