There are some things that are believed to be true about the survival of hatchling chameleons in their natural environment.
I have only read bits and pieces of information and extracted these theories from that.
It is very probable that hatching eggs in a clump (as laid by the mother) signal each other and hatch together. This would create a situation where many siblings work together to dig out of the ground.
We see clutches hatch in artificial incubation situations, sometimes over several week periods because we have neatly placed the eggs in rows, a distance from each other and (I believe) they are not able to signal each other in this arrangement.
Once the hatchlings are able to dig out of the ground, they remain low in the grasses and small shrubs where food is abundant, the air is more still and humidity is higher. It's also safer for them down low, more places to hide and no big chameleons to eat you.
I think (as mentioned in the film linked above) a seasonal trigger will start the hatching and rain probably does make the ground easier to dig out of.
It would be interesting to incubate a clutch as laid.
If you could extract the egg mass intact and incubate it in the original position ... I know I have read about someone practicing this technique ... I think you would experience all the babies hatching together.
-Brad
