Vield digging wholes. Why?

Zeke20

Zeke20

New Member
I just bought a young vield chameleon. They didn't tell me what sex it was when I purchased it and I haven't been to a reptile specialist yet. I was just wondering why the chameleon is digging wholes. It keeps digging the wholes in the 2 corners on one side of the enclosure. Is there anything to be worried about or is this quite normal? Also when handling what is the best way to attempt this? Can you pick them up? Should you just put you hand/finger near them and wait for them to climb on you? If you can answer any of the above questions that would be very helpful. thanks
 
Yea you most likely have a pregnat female. You will need to provide a place for her to lay her eggs. Check out the breeding/hatching section to learn what to do.
 
Chamero said:
Yea you most likely have a pregnat female. You will need to provide a place for her to lay her eggs. Check out the breeding/hatching section to learn what to do.
Click to expand...

Pregnant? I do believe it is just about 6weeks old and am quite sure it was never bred. Can they lay infertile eggs?
 
Yes they lay infertile clutches without being mated, but not at 6 weeks old.
This is the reason for the sticky and a picture.
You need to post all the info ... to get the best answer, otherwise people are shooting in the dark.

What is your animal digging in?
No substrate is recommended, especially for a baby.

-Brad
 
Ok thanks for the link on how to ask for help and also the links to others who have posted similar questions.

I am going to add the info that I didn't include in the first post here.

Cage Info:

* Cage Type - Right now its 36x36x48cm (lxwxh). It is glass right now only because I thought it would be better than a mesh one for it since it was such a young age. I do plan to get a mesh enclosure as soon as he out grows what he is in now. I have a coconut fibre bedding in the enclosure right now, but was leaning more towards one of those reptile carpets when I clean the enclosure.
* Lighting - I use a ReptiGlow 5.0 bulb which is on for the majority of the time he is awake. for basking periods I use a Sun Glo 100w basking light. And at night I will put a 75w infrared Heat Glo light to keep the temp warm enough.
* Temperature - The temperature closer to the cage floor is ranging from 80-90F and basking area is about 95-105F (haven't let it get above 105F). I have checked what the temp is in the cage at night for the past 3 that I have had it and the lowest temp it has gotten to is 75F. I have 2 thermometers set up in the enclosure on near the basking area and one one close to the bottom away from the lights.
* Humidity - The humidity % is ranging from 50-60. I haven't seen it go above 60. I spray the enclosure with a light mist 3-4 times a day to maintain the humidity. I have a hygrometer set up in the enclosure.
* Plants - No live plants yet.
* Location - The enclosure is in my bed room right now. I made sure it was away from heat vents and fans. The top of the tank is roughly 4 feet from the ground.


Chameleon Info:

* Your Chameleon - Its a Veild, sex unknown, roughly 6weeks old, I have had it for 4days now.
* Handling - Haven't handled yet. It seems to timid and afraid when I attempt to so I haven't really pushed the handling.
* Feeding - I am feeding him 4-6 1/4" crickets which I feed calcium enriched food and water.
* Supplements - I haven't been using any yet. Wasn't sure on which ones would be best and so on. Read a couple posts on these forums and made my shopping list for tomorrow.
* Watering - I use a spray bottle which I use about 4 times a day. I have not yet seen him drinking but I haven't really looked for it.
* Fecal Description - The droppings are a small brown like ball and there is some hints of white here and there but no odd colours from what I have noticed. It has not yet been tested for parasites that I am aware of. The store that I purchased it from gave me a sheet that explained how all of their animals are "Vet Assured" and it said that it was healthy and nothing was wrong with it at all. (but I don't know if it was a specialist who declared this or some kid working a part time job)
* History - From what I have seen it has a very strong grip, it hasn't fallen at all, it is eating all of the crickets I have given it, it hasn't shown any colour change (in its skin) at all and its very active sleeping when I turn out the regular light and turn on the infrared light..
* Current Problem - Digging holes in the bottom on the enclosure.


Thanks for taking the time to read that long list of things. And any ideas are much appreciated.
 
Brad Ramsey said:
Yes they lay infertile clutches without being mated, but not at 6 weeks old.
This is the reason for the sticky and a picture.
You need to post all the info ... to get the best answer, otherwise people are shooting in the dark.

What is your animal digging in?
No substrate is recommended, especially for a baby.

-Brad
Click to expand...

I read your post in the link provided about about the male digging holes. Mine seems to be doing the same thing, digging a tunnel along the one side of the enclosure it doesnt stay in the whole long, but it seems to be constantly going back to digging every now and then. Don;t know if that helps any.
 
Read everything here:

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

Your chameleon is too hot!!!
A veiled chameleon that age should not be exposed to temps over 85 degrees.
You are cooking him in a little glass oven .... he's trying to get out.
Also no additional heat at night
They need at least a 10 to 15 degree drop in temp at night* and total darkness.

*low to mid 60's is ideal.

-Brad
 
Brad Ramsey said:
Read everything here:

http://raisingkittytheveiledchameleon.blogspot.com/

Your chameleon is too hot!!!
A veiled chameleon that age should not be exposed to temps over 85 degrees.
You are cooking him in a little glass oven .... he's trying to get out.
Also no additional heat at night
They need at least a 10 to 15 degree drop in temp at night* and total darkness.

*low to mid 60's is ideal.

-Brad
Click to expand...

I was reading that site, I noticed you linked it in another thread. And that's what I thought after reading a couple threads too. I removed the night time lamps and am monitoring the temp right now. I was just under the impression (from reading other sites) that a night time temp of 70-75F was ideal.

thanks for all of the help. after looking at the hind foot I also didn't notice any sort of spur so for now I am going to assume it is females as well.

Also sort of off topic. How do you suggest handling her? I have tried to get her to climb on my finger but she just shoots up her tree and sits at the top looking at me. I don't want to grab her and get her stressed, should I just wait until she is ready to climb on that finger?
 
Ouch-! That is way too hot like Brad said-and in the glass oven they have no way to escape it. Hopefully you have a good digital thermometer so you can accurately keep temps in the low 80's and no higher. High temps like that WILL kill your chameleon-just use a 25w or 40W household bulb to get temps on one side to low 80's. Any pics of you baby so that we can maybe verify age?

As far as substrate a paper towel would be better than anything you mentioned and easy to change out. It will get soggy with the misting you will need to do but you can just throw it away and put in a couple new ones.
Is your light a flourescent long tube or a compact? Compact UVB's are dangerous.
 
Julirs said:
Ouch-! That is way too hot like Brad said-and in the glass oven they have no way to escape it. Hopefully you have a good digital thermometer so you can accurately keep temps in the low 80's and no higher. High temps like that WILL kill your chameleon-just use a 25w or 40W household bulb to get temps on one side to low 80's. Any pics of you baby so that we can maybe verify age?

As far as substrate a paper towel would be better than anything you mentioned and easy to change out. It will get soggy with the misting you will need to do but you can just throw it away and put in a couple new ones.
Is your light a flourescent long tube or a compact? Compact UVB's are dangerous.
Click to expand...

Yeah I did some reading last night and have changed the lighting. The temp didn't drop below 68F last night, not sure if I should try and make it a bit cooler or not. As for the bulb, it was a compact but I bought a tube bulb this morning as per recommended by some folks on here.

I will try and get some pictures later on today and get them up. Right now she is about 4" not including the tail. Don't know if that will help you make a prediction on age.
 
Hard to tell by size really-it is always a guestimation at best! I have babies from my July clutch that are twice as big as others!
Excellent changes on the lighting-that should really make a difference.

As far as handling-I always let it be on their terms-I would let her settle in for a few weeks and then start trying to hand feed tasty worms.
 
Any suggestions on handling? I have only attempted to handle her once since I brought her home, and that was a failed attempt. I don't know if I went about it wrong or whether they just aren't the handling type. When I tried I just put my index finger close enough to her front foot that she could reach it if she wanted to come to me, but she just ran to the top of the trees and eyed me up until i gave up.
 
Chameleons arn't the most social animals, they prefer to be left alone, vieleds being a bit more tempermental then others.

Best way to do it is to slide your finger gently underneath her from head on, so she see's your hand, move slowly, and then let her gently climb onto your finger, do not pull , you can break her legs, or injur her tail.
 
Sang said:
Chameleons arn't the most social animals, they prefer to be left alone, vieleds being a bit more tempermental then others.

Best way to do it is to slide your finger gently underneath her from head on, so she see's your hand, move slowly, and then let her gently climb onto your finger, do not pull , you can break her legs, or injur her tail.
Click to expand...

I will give this a try. That is kind of what I did but I didn't go under her, I just left my finger sitting about 2cm from her chin and she just looked at it and puffed her neck out.
 
Also I am already looking at replacing the glass enclosure as well as the plant life soon. I am just curious as to what type of live plants are recommended, are there any that are an absolute no?
 
Just an update, with the lighting changed and the temps brought down she is still spending time digging in the corners.

Also another question, I misted a couple hours ago and the leaves of the plants are still wet, I usually run the lights 9-9 and then turn them out. Should I not mist that close to lights out time? Or is it not going to harm the cham?
 
Zeke20 said:
Just an update, with the lighting changed and the temps brought down she is still spending time digging in the corners.

Also another question, I misted a couple hours ago and the leaves of the plants are still wet, I usually run the lights 9-9 and then turn them out. Should I not mist that close to lights out time? Or is it not going to harm the cham?
Click to expand...

I would always make sure that by the time the lights out, the cage is already dried. you don't want to let them asleep while wet.
 
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