digging holes?

[germanmike]

hey guys, names mike and im new to the forum and chameleon s all together, before i got my veiled chameleon i did my research and love my new pet. But lately in the morning when i turn on the lights i see her digging holes at the bottom of the cage? its a female and shes 9-10 months old. why is she all of a sudden doing that??

 

[shadowcon39]

Hi, I'm new to chameleons too so don't hold this against me, but it sounds like she could be gravid?(sp?) If not I'm sure someone will correct me

 

[pssh]

Sounds like she's looking for a place to lay eggs. They can lay egs without a male and they will be infertile. It might be a good idea to put a nice deep (12 inches of substrate) laying bin in the cage. Make sure the tub you use is big enough for her plus a few inches on all sides including above her. Try to use an opaque tub and fill it with organic fertilizer free soil or clean play sand or a mix of both. Make it moist enough to hold a tunnel but not muddy. Make sure not to watch her dig or she may abandon the hole. If she doesn't find a place to lay her eggs she may become egg bound and can die if she does. Give her lots of water and food afterwards. After a few weeks cut back on food so she doesn't make a huge clutch next time.

 

[germanmike]

Sounds like she's looking for a place to lay eggs. They can lay egs without a male and they will be infertile. It might be a good idea to put a nice deep (12 inches of substrate) laying bin in the cage. Make sure the tub you use is big enough for her plus a few inches on all sides including above her. Try to use an opaque tub and fill it with organic fertilizer free soil or clean play sand or a mix of both. Make it moist enough to hold a tunnel but not muddy. Make sure not to watch her dig or she may abandon the hole. If she doesn't find a place to lay her eggs she may become egg bound and can die if she does. Give her lots of water and food afterwards. After a few weeks cut back on food so she doesn't make a huge clutch next time.

thank you very much

 

[kinyonga]

Waiting a few weeks to cut back her food is too long IMHO...she will already be growing the follicles before a few weeks are up.