Bubs the chameleon, healthy or fat?

[Stephlax]

This is Bubs, the female veiled chameleon, and we are both new here. I decided to post a new thread to ask a few general questions, I'm sorry if they are repeat questions, but I need help! I have never owned a chameleon and it is nerve-racking! I'm so scared I'm going to accidentally kill her or insufficiently care for her.

My brother bought for me this gorgeous little girl about a month and a half ago (for my birthday) from Petsmart and told me that the pet care specialist there said Bubs was 3-4 months old. I know this is relatively young for a chameleon so I had been feeding her crickets pretty much until she stops eating them every day - with calcium dusting (phosphorus and D3 free) every other feeding and ReptoLife plus multi-vitamin dusting once a week. I have been gut-loading the crickets with numerous veggies (as per what I've learned to give them through my research, i.e. mustard greens, apples, oranges, etc.). I have dwindled down on feeding her as much as she can eat to about 6-8 crickets every day until she reaches adulthood.

I am unsure and a little put-off by the fact that she came from Petsmart. I have witnessed some pretty unsatisfying habitat and care situations in the Petsmarts I have visited, and some of the "pet care specialists" seem... "not-so-much a specialist". I have been trying to

My questions are:

1) When should I cut back her feeding to once every two-three days?
2) Is she getting fat (from the pictures provided, or is she gravid, maybe?) or does she look healthy?
3) If she isn't gravid now (I know there are ways of keeping her from becoming gravid, ever http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/2007/12/keeping-female-veiled.html, and I'm trying my best to follow these guidelines) could she become gravid at 5-6 months?

Thank you in advance! and P.S. sorry if the quality of the pictures aren't "photographer level", I'm using my cell phone! (The first two are from mid-March and the last three are from today)

 

[carol5208]

yes, she can be gravid at this age and does look like she could be carrying eggs. You need to get a laying bin in the cage asap. If she does not have sufficient place to lay, she will become eggbound and die. If she shows no interest in laying once you get the bin in place and you are still concerned she has eggs, take her to a vet and get xrays. She should stop eating and will be restless and looking around for a place to lay when she is ready. I will get a link for you on how to make the laying bin.

 

[carol5208]

here is the link https://www.chameleonforums.com/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video-77225/

 

[Stephlax]

Thank you! I was scared about her possibly being gravid. I've tried palpating her stomach, and I didn't feel anything like eggs, but I know this doesn't necessarily mean she is not gravid. I have read that moist (not wet) and washed play sand can be used for digging, and that I could place a 12"x12"x~7" container of it in her cage to see if she starts digging and determine whether or not she is ready to lay eggs. She hasn't displayed any unusual coloration, but I've also read that some females do not show any gravid coloration.

I am on my way to the store as soon as I post this to get some egg laying supplies.

 

[carol5208]

welcome! hopefully she is not, but you need to be prepared just in case! Good luck!!

 

[carol5208]

welcome! hopefully she is not, but you need to be prepared just in case! Good luck!!

 

[pssh]

Its possible she has eggs, but she doesnt have any yellow spots that females get when they are mature. Still get an egg bin in there as soon as you can though. Does she always always look that way? Maybe post a photo from above her so we can see if she has any egg lumps. An X-ray will tell you for sure though.