Is she ready to lay eggs?

[Chamilla1102]

Hi there I have a 9 month old yemen chameleon and shes gained a lot of weight and I can see what appears to be little bumps infront of her hind leg. Shes also turned a light green along with light orange spots and blue dots and stripes. She has gone to the very bottom of the cage and just sits there. Shes also been crawling all over the cage as well. I have read online that she might be ready to lay eggs and I have created a laying bin with curtains so we don't see her, but as soon as we put her in she tries to escape and will turn a very dark color. Ive tried to get her to lay her eggs for the past week but nothing is working! HELP!

 

[jannb]

She's a very pretty girl! I recommend a laying bin in her enclosure at all times. You should find these two links helpful.
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video.77225/
https://www.chameleonforums.com/threads/laying-bin-set-up-educational-video.77225/

 

[kinyonga]

I think like Jann said you need an egglaying bin INSIDE the cage ASAP!!!!

 

[Chamilla1102]

I have bought a flower pot and put a plant inside of it and she still hasn't laid her eggs yet

 

[Chamilla1102]

Should I just remove the plant and only have the laying bin inside?

 

[opheliaeatsbugs]

I feel your worry... I'm kinda in the same spot. Here's what you gotta know. You can't make her lay her eggs. Trust me, I've tried lolol. I'm not trying to be a smarta@@, but seriously, the best thing you can do for her is to:

• Follow the links that @jannb provided
• Keep a laying bin inside her enclosure at all time (the minimum is a 12x12 by 12" deep) and once it's inside, don't mess with it too much. You can clean poop, make sure it doesn't dry out, but otherwise, don't mess with it. There should be a branch or vine that she can use to climb in out of when it's time. I've heard that the roots of plants can get in the way of her digging.
  
• Keep her feeders gut-loaded, don't over feed your girl (I've been feeding my female every other day about 10 feeders that are properly gut-loaded with good stuff and dusted with supplements).
• Make sure her UVB and heat is correct.
• Make sure she is misted and hydrated.

Other than that - you have done all you can do and she will lay her eggs when she is ready. Once you see her showing an interest in the laying bin, you can provide her with privacy. Good luck. I'm waiting for my girl to lay, too.

 

[kinyonga]

How big is the flower pot...diameter? How deep is it?
What did you fill it with?
Roaming the cage looking for a spot to lay is good!
Is she lethargic? Sitting low in the cage a lot? Drinking more? Eating less?

 

[Chamilla1102]

I have a 12" wide round plant pot with 12" inches deep of a 50/50 mix of top soil and playsand with a plant in the back. But the plant covers like 1/3 of the pot. She was low in her cage a couple days ago but she keeps walking on the soil and then just climbs away from it. I think ill take out the plant and leave a couple branches and see if i have any success.

 

[kinyonga]

Don't let her see you watching her if she starts digging.
I hope she will get the laying done with no problems....but if she starts showing signs of decline...lethargy, sitting low in the cage, eyes shut during the day , etc get her to a good reptile vet right away.