Female Jackson Possibly Pregnant?

[Dynasty]

Hello

So I have a female Jackson chameleon i've been caring for, for about a year now. Everything is great, she always has a constant supply of water for when i'm at school, and I feed her an appropriate amount of crickets and mealworms every day, the crickets are dusted before feeding. But lately she's been kind of wanting to hang out near the bottom of her cage. I understand that this could be the sign of pregnancy, I cought her walking on the wall of her cage, but near the bottom. But she still prefers the heights of her cage. I was wondering if female Jacksons (live bearers of birth) can still become pregnant without a male being around? May seem like a dumb question but i'm just wondering if I should be preparing for a few bundles of joy. Thank you

 

[Solid Snake]

Not a dumb question.
However, if she has been away from any males for at least a year, she is not pregnant. Unless maybe if she gave birth within that year, then she could have retained sperm, but if not, she isnt.

What supplements do you use, and on what schedule?
If her behavior has changed, there could be a problem. You may want to fill out the "how to ask for help" form in the health section.

 

[Elizadolots]

They can have infertile clutches, just as egg laying species can. Here'a post by Chris Anderson that explains it:

Jackson's give live birth but all that means is that they retain developing embryos inside uncalcified egg cases and the neonates "hatch" immediately at or following oviposition. Having a female jackson's drop a clutch of slugs (infertile eggs) has nothing to do with not being healthy or fed properly. They will drop infertile clutches without a male, just like egg laying chameleons lay infertile clutches, and chickens lay infertile eggs.

 

[Solid Snake]

True, that is fairly rare though. Good point all the same.

 

[Dynasty]

Thank you all and she's back to herself again, sitting under the drip system catching water, came home from school, she snagged 3 crickets right out of my hand along with a worm, was just wondering. Thank you all again for helping me out. Much love

 

[Elizadolots]

That's good. Is it possible she's been with a male in the past? If so, weird as it sounds, you do have to be ready for her to have babies at some point. The whole "retained sperm" thing just seems strange to me, but I guess it works for them. (And, octopus!!! OMG!!! you should read up on how they do it!) You might want to look at the Breeding forum to get some ideas for what you will need if that happens.

 

[Dynasty]

That's good. Is it possible she's been with a male in the past? If so, weird as it sounds, you do have to be ready for her to have babies at some point. The whole "retained sperm" thing just seems strange to me, but I guess it works for them. (And, octopus!!! OMG!!! you should read up on how they do it!) You might want to look at the Breeding forum to get some ideas for what you will need if that happens.

Hahaha i'll take a look at it and see if there's anything else I need to pick up for her just in case. I have a baby cage all set up with lights, misting, and fruit flies so I think i'm good but there's always something new to learn. Much love ^_^