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I have a female veiled chameleon who lately has been occasionally eating sand from the egg box. She's also not eating much else. I can get her to eat a few crickets or worms by handfeeding but she doesn't go after them anymore and isn't up to her usual 5-6 crickets a day. She's also not eating her veggies much anymore and used to eat them alot. The tank setup hasn't changed. There is enough fresh air, water humidity, heat and climbing places for her to be happy in.

Could she be going into some kind of hibernation? Up here (the Yukon), its getting darker earlier, and cooler out and I wondered if that is affecting her habit. There is a window across from her that gives indirect light. Any ideas? Thanks

It is not unusual for lizards, including chameleons, to 'taste' sand or dirt. First off, you want to make sure there are no pebbles in the sand. Before you use sand you should sift it. Females slow down with their eating habits when they are gravid. Although some also eat a lot. If she is wandering around the bottom of the habitat a lot, this is probably the case. Your chameleon won't hibernate. Since it is cooler out you should be extending the length of time the light is on by a few hours. This will keep her warmer for longer. Make sure as well to use a 'nightlight heat-bulb' at night time. If she is in a glass aqaurium style habitat, do not let the light shine on here, directly or indirectly. Light through glass can be harmful. Hope this helps!

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