What in a chameleon causes a mass hatch. We keep all of our eggs in incubators in seperate tubs. How do they communicate in an egg its amazing. Once 1 comes its like a jailbreak and it baffles me. Any info would be great.
I know its something similar to the way turtles mass hatch and all dig out at the same time. Helps them to escape predators as they emerge. Old saying theres safety in numbers. lol but i cant remember what the scientific name for it is.
There are a few potential mechanisms that facilitate synchronized hatching events. At a developmental level, thermally induced metabolic depression (torpor) can restrict hatching times to periods where ambient conditions are ideal. In crocodilians sound production from the neonates is believed to stimulate siblings to hatch. It has also been theorized that communication via embryonic movement within the egg (which would be transmitted through the egg shells) could help coordinate hatch synchrony. Myself and others have observed eggs late in their incubation period vibrate when disturbed, much like adults vibrate for communication purposes. Its possible these vibratory movements, in addition to movement from hatching siblings, could coordinate synchronized hatching events.