Graceful Chameleon rolling in substrate?

[anngab1]

Does anyone know why my graceful chamelon occasionally gets down in the substrate and rolls/burrows in it? I was thinking that maybe she was getting too hot hanging around up top by the light and maybe needed a cool-down. Otherwise, she seems healthy and is eating and drinking regularly. I have the brown coconut substrate material on the floor of her cage. Any input from others if this behavior is normal or is it something to be concerned about?

 

[camimom]

is she digging in it?

if so, shes probably trying to lay eggs.

how often is she doing this?

 

[anngab1]

She has done it two days in a row.

 

[camimom]

She has done it two days in a row.

Sounds like shes preparing to lay eggs.

do you have a lay bin in with her?

If not, you need to get a bucket, at least 12 nches deep, filled with damp sand or dirt, so she can dig a tunnel and lay her eggs in.

 

[anngab1]

No, we just got her a week ago. She was in a cage with other chameleons at the reptile store. Is it possible the eggs could be fertilized? If not, what will happen to the eggs and how long does it take to know?

 

[camimom]

No, we just got her a week ago. She was in a cage with other chameleons at the reptile store. Is it possible the eggs could be fertilized? If not, what will happen to the eggs and how long does it take to know?

If she was with others, and you dont know the gender, then yes its very possible the eggs are fertile.

If they are, you need to get some vermiculite (from a lowes or home depot, gardening center) and get it dmap, just damp enough to squeeze a drop of water out) then carefully dig up the eggs, and place them in it, then put them in a dark room. then you check to make sure the vermiculite is still damp, but never roll the eggs as, this could cause the babies to suffocate.

if they are not fertlized, then after a couple weeks they will collapse in on themselves and mold over. in which case, you can throw it out.


I am currently incubating veiled eggs, which are similar in care to gracefuls.

get a small container, like tupperware, put the damp vermiculite in it, put the eggs, spaced out, on top of the vermiculite (not covered) and then get a lid, poke holes in it for ventilation and stick in a dark closet in a part of your house that stays areound 75ish degrees.

then in 7-9 months, you get babies !

 

[anngab1]

Do I put the separate lay bin inside her cage or should I just let her lay them in the substrate already there?

 

[camimom]

Do I put the separate lay bin inside her cage or should I just let her lay them in the substrate already there?

if shes digging right now, leave her alone, if shes up basking, put the bin in, cover her cage, and leave her alone.


if she catches you watching, she may abandon her laying, and it could be bad.


and also, breathe and relax. its not as scarey as it seems!

 

[anngab1]

Okay, thanks !

 

[camimom]

Okay, thanks !

Welcome!
if you have questions, just pst them here or PM me, im on throughout the day.

 

[Olimpia]

How deep is the substrate in the cage? It should be at least 8 inches, with 12 being way better. I would just stick the bucket in there, because she won't lay in the ground if it's only a couple inches deep.

 

[anngab1]

Okay, I put a lay bin inside her cage. She has been interested in it, but has not done any digging. She is still digging in the substrate in the afternoons. Still eating, and pooping. Now she looks like she is shedding. At the very tip of her tail and around her eyes, there is flaking skin. is this associated with pregnancy or just normal shedding? The lay bin is 10 inches deep and 10x6 inches long - do I need to put a larger one in there? She is about 6-7 inches long from nose to tail.