My Tootie has been behaving a bit odd the last few days. She usually sits at the top of her cage but recently she's been climbing down a vine to the bottom of the cage then climbing up a stick back to where she was. She did this over and over yesterday. I left for school early this morning so I don't know if she has continued it today. I'm wondering is she going to lay eggs? As I understand it, the chameleon will hang out at the bottom of the cage but Tootie doesn't stop to poke around anywhere. She just keeps going in a circle. Her body is about 4 inches long (not including the tail). The pet shop guy said she's big enough to start laying eggs so I bought her a 20 gallon container and I'm going to fill it with potting soil as soon as I get home. I guess I need guidance and advice because I'm afraid. I know a lot of chams don't make it and I want to do everything right to make sure she's okay. Also, I can't tell if she has gained weight. I just realized she's a lot bigger than when I first got her but that includes length, not just roundness.
Chameleon Info:
* Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Veiled chameleon. Not sure how old she is. Purchased her on January 4, 2011
* Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Handled her once since I purchased her when arranging her cage
* Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Feeding her about 10 small crickets every 1.5 days along with 5 mealworms. Gut-load crickets with potato and carrots
* Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Using repti-cal twice a week.
* Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? Use a spray bottle to mist her leaves and such. Spray about 4 times a day. I see her drink about once a day after I spray.
* Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Dry brown/black feces. She goes about once every other day. She has never been tested for parasites.
* History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. No
Cage Info:
* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? 24x24x12 Screen cage
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Don't know off the top of my head but has a basking light and a full spectrum light
* Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? I have a gauge to measure the temp. Usually between 75 and 85 depending on time of day.
* Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Humidity is usually in between 55 and 65% I also have a gauge from Petco to measure it.
* Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Yes I have a habiscus plant.
* Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?It is in my room by the closet (not inside) No fans, vents or traffic near it. The top of the cage is about 5 ft from the floor.
* Location - Where are you geographically located? Glendale, California.
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Tootie is behaving strange. She spent all of yesterday climbing in a circle. I don't know if she has to lay eggs but I'm going to set up a place for her to do so anyway. I need advice and some kind of instructions as to how to care for her during this time. How long do I leave in the dirt container? How deep do I make the dirt? How do I know she's done? Do I feed her while she's in there? What do I feed her afterward?
Chameleon Info:
* Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care? Veiled chameleon. Not sure how old she is. Purchased her on January 4, 2011
* Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon? Handled her once since I purchased her when arranging her cage
* Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders? Feeding her about 10 small crickets every 1.5 days along with 5 mealworms. Gut-load crickets with potato and carrots
* Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule? Using repti-cal twice a week.
* Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking? Use a spray bottle to mist her leaves and such. Spray about 4 times a day. I see her drink about once a day after I spray.
* Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites? Dry brown/black feces. She goes about once every other day. She has never been tested for parasites.
* History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you. No
Cage Info:
* Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions? 24x24x12 Screen cage
* Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule? Don't know off the top of my head but has a basking light and a full spectrum light
* Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps? I have a gauge to measure the temp. Usually between 75 and 85 depending on time of day.
* Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity? Humidity is usually in between 55 and 65% I also have a gauge from Petco to measure it.
* Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind? Yes I have a habiscus plant.
* Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?It is in my room by the closet (not inside) No fans, vents or traffic near it. The top of the cage is about 5 ft from the floor.
* Location - Where are you geographically located? Glendale, California.
Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.
Tootie is behaving strange. She spent all of yesterday climbing in a circle. I don't know if she has to lay eggs but I'm going to set up a place for her to do so anyway. I need advice and some kind of instructions as to how to care for her during this time. How long do I leave in the dirt container? How deep do I make the dirt? How do I know she's done? Do I feed her while she's in there? What do I feed her afterward?