strange behavior

[jemarquardt]

we recently (6 months ago) got our female chameleon. she is now 2 1/2 years old. shes never been a friendly girl, hissing when she thinks you are going to try and pick her up, but other than that, beautiful colours, healthy appetite and very active. we kept her in the same enclosure, large mesh rectangle one that she was used to from previous owner and kept all same fake and the real plant that she had in there. she 95% of the time stays up high, rarely touching ground unless there is a cricket she wants to get. two days ago, i heard a digging sound from her cage though and went to investigate. she had dug down,(dont ask me how with those feet) into the dirt of the plant and pushed in onto the ground about a cm high. she was rummaging around and digging in the dirt on the ground. now shes about 50/50 on ground and in her little dirt nest. is this normal?? should i put the dirt back in the plant and clean up what shes done or is there a reason she would do this

 

[Lizardlover]

what species, she could be trying to lay eggs (infertile) fill out he how to ask for help form also

 

[Julirs]

She needs to lay eggs-place a pot/bucket about 10" deep and 10' wide or greater full of orgainc soil, or play sand, or a mixture of both or personally I use bed-A-beast (coconut fiber) mixed with playsand that is moistened enought that it will hold a tunnel, or just let her dig in the plant pot if there is enough room for her to dig down into it.
Has she never laid eggs for you before?

 

[jemarquardt]

she is a veiled chameleon. i will fill out that form asap. i noticed the new thread above mine is asking rather the same question. interesting

 

[jojackson]

Very likely your cham is producing eggs, or has already done so (gravid) if shes an ovivaporous species), and is beginning to prepare a nesting chamber.
Along with recently being up high constantly (possibly to raise IBT due to being gravid?)
MIGHT suggest this.

If you suspect this is a possibility, please fill out the 'how to ask for help' question form, so the experienced keepers of females can better help you.

 

[yoza717]

It sounds like she is trying to lay eggs. If she can't find a place to lay, she can become eggbound.
Place a laying bin in the cage with her. A small waste can or bucket with 8-12 inches of packed sand or pesticide/chemical free dirt.

 

[Lizardlover]

Very likely your cham is producing its first (non-viable) eggs, or has already done so (gravid) if shes an ovivaporous species), and is beginning to prepare a nesting chamber.
Along with recently being up high constantly (possibly to raise IBT due to being gravid?)
MIGHT suggest this.
Yes, 6 months seems too young, but nobody told the chameleons.

If you suspect this is a possibility, please fill out the 'how to ask for help' question form, so the experienced keepers of females can better help you.

she said she was 2 1/2 years...and she already mentioned the species (veiled)

 

[yoza717]

Wow you guys type fast!!!

 

[kinyonga]

You need to put a suitable place in the cage for her to dig right away. They will only try to dig to lay eggs for a certain number of days and you don't want her not to lay them.

 

[jemarquardt]

she has laid one egg, in the dirt she pushed to bottom of cage, i got the bucket in there right away with substrate but she is staying away. How many eggs will they usually lay? What are symptoms of being egg bound?