Veiled Female Behaviour

[Leilaskeeper]

My female veiled, who is now around 18 months or so, has taken up digging within her enclosure again. I've palpated her many times and she doesn't seem to have any eggs. When she stretches out, nothing shows. No bag o' marbles.

She went through a REALLY ugly phase recently where she had little to no colouration. Darker green then usual. I'm guessing this might be because I changed her enclosure for a little while (about 1 month or so). When I put her back in her original enclosure, she immediately turned bright green. A week later she has developed orange spots, she is showing her bright blue on her casque and along her back, and she is really active.

Before you suggest I do it, I've already replaced her laying bin - which she cares nothing for - and continues to dig her nose in the soil I have on the bottom of the enclosure until she reaches the drainage portion of the enclosure.

Might this be just innate behaviour? Something all females do from time to time? Is she trying to tell me that she is ready to breed with a male? Or could she be with eggs and I'm just not seeing it? I feed her 2-3 bugs a day, and sometimes I skip a day. She is well hydrated. My husbandry is spot on as I've already read up to my ears on many opinions and care sheets. I'm just curious as to her behaviour and if anyone had advice.

Cheers!

 

[kinyonga]

If/when she's digging holes its important not to disturb her or you will make her think that the spot she has chosen to dig is not safe. If it happens too often she will become eggbound.

They don't dig to let you know they want to mate. Its not just an innate behaviour...they only dig to lay eggs or possibly if its just digging/pawing at the edge/corner of the cage a "wish" to get out of the cage.

The orange spots suggest that she is sexually mature and the blue dots suggest receptivity...as long as the background color isn't dark. If the background color is dark then she's non-receptive/gravid.

 

[Leilaskeeper]

Great response! Thank you.

She seems a lot more friendly these days. I'm leaning more towards her wishing to get out as she always claws at the doors and as soon as I open them, she runs to my shoulder. She is a nice lime green almost all the time with the orange spots and blue spine.

If I do notice her gravid coloration, I will move her to a garbage can with the whole set up.

I wonder why all of a sudden she just fired up and became so friendly... regardless though, I'm glad she feels at home.

Thanks for your response again - really appreciate it!