veiled female chameleon eating dirt? help

[khinchy25]

i have a female Veiled chameleon that is eating the tub of dirt that i put in the bottom of the cage. it is there because she slowed eating a lot and is hanging at the bottom of the cage a lot, i thing she has eggs in her to lay. she is about a year old and big. she is not showing any sing physical of having eggs in her but i just want to give her the option just incase she need to lay eggs. is there a reason that she is eating the dirt? i give her zoo med vitamins with the d3 in it, plus i have a uvb light. She does not drink a lot but its always there for her if she need .should i take out the dirt ? and it bad for her to eat the dirt?

 

[kirekameleon]

Maybe an Answer

I know I read that somewhere but I cannot locate it on any of the sites that I have in my favorites. I hope someone does chime in on your question. If I remember correctly it is the Calyptratus that had been observed doing it. I really have not read about any other chameleon other than the Calyptratus. It would probably hurt if it is potting soil with chemicals in it.

http://chamworld.blogspot.com/2008/01/veiled-and-panther-chameleon-care-101b.html Read about 3/4 the way down it talks about it under section Removing Fertilizer Trace - says some chameleons are notorious for it, and the writers Cham does it too, and gives a couple theories, and why it is important to resoil your plants when you bring them home.

kire

 

[kinyonga]

If you take the container of dirt out she will have no place to dig to show you when she needs to lay eggs and if you miss the subtle hints, she could die eggbound.

If you leave the dirt in and it causes a blockage, then that won't be good either.

Thus...the best option is to provide a container of something that she can eat and it won't cause a blockage...and that's where the problem lies IMHO...finding one that won't cause a blockage.

 

[ataraxia]

Chameleon Info:

Your Chameleon - The species, sex, and age of your chameleon. How long has it been in your care?
Handling - How often do you handle your chameleon?
Feeding - What are you feeding your cham? What amount? What is the schedule? How are you gut-loading your feeders?
Supplements - What brand and type of calcium and vitamin products are you dusting your feeders with and what is the schedule?
Watering - What kind of watering technique do you use? How often and how long to you mist? Do you see your chameleon drinking?
Fecal Description - Briefly note colors and consistency from recent droppings. Has this chameleon ever been tested for parasites?
History - Any previous information about your cham that might be useful to others when trying to help you.


Cage Info:

Cage Type - Describe your cage (Glass, Screen, Combo?) What are the dimensions?
Lighting - What brand, model, and types of lighting are you using? What is your daily lighting schedule?
Temperature - What temp range have you created (cage floor to basking spot)? Lowest overnight temp? How do you measure these temps?
Humidity - What are your humidity levels? How are you creating and maintaining these levels? What do you use to measure humidity?
Plants - Are you using live plants? If so, what kind?
Placement - Where is your cage located? Is it near any fans, air vents, or high traffic areas? At what height is the top of the cage relative to your room floor?
Location - Where are you geographically located?


Current Problem - The current problem you are concerned about.


Pictures are helpful


if she i eatting dirt you will want to make sure she is hydrated. ive seen many post of chameleons doing this and have only heard opinions versus actual concrete findings of why they do this. personally, this is just my opinion, think they are doing this from a a lack of either trace minerals or vitamins the body needs. this can be from a lack of variety of prey, improper gutloading and or not using correct supplements and schedule. i would personally do what kinyonga said and remove the bin. if she is not plump then she either has a very small clutch or it is not time for a laying bin.

 

[kinyonga]

"i would personally do what kinyonga said and remove the bin"...this is not what I said.

 

[Misty96]

My Rockelle eats tidbits of dirt from her potted plant before she lays her eggs but I use "Sand" for her to lay her eggs in. She likes it and doesn't eat it ) You must keep the sand moist at all times so that she can dig in it (tunnel). Simular consistacy of that needed for the sand to stick together like when building a sand castle. Good Luck!

 

[ataraxia]

"i would personally do what kinyonga said and remove the bin"...this is not what I said.

omai i did misread.

 

[kinyonga]

It happens sometimes! No problem!

 

[Elizadolots]

Okay...hopefully translating it into one cogent post.

Khinchy, you should copy and paste the questions axteriaxa posted into a reply and provide your answers.

As Kinyonga says you should put a "laying bin" of something neutral in the enclosure for your chameleon to use to lay her eggs. Play sand, available at places like WalMart's garden section, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. works. Don't buy the pretty, colorful stuff, get the plain white playsand. If she ingests it, she will poop it out.

As Misty says, keep the sand moist.