Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys,

I'm somewhat new to chams and I have a question about my 2yo female's behavior.

First, a little background: I've had her since the end of March and she came to me very plump. I switched her to more veggies and fruit diet and less protein to help lose a little weight. She's not a huge veggie and fruit fan but she eats it eventually. She gets meal worms, crickets, or phoenix worms 1-2x per week dusted with calcium or D3 each time (vitamin dusted about once a month). She has a basking spot in the 90's and UVB through her screen cage. Temps drop into the mid-70's at night. I have a dripper and she gets sprayed daily. I was told she's never laid eggs. Is this unusual for a female of this age?

About a week and a half ago I noticed she seemed more grumpy than usual, refusing to take food from my hands and not going the brilliant green she usually goes after warming up in the morning. Crickets or other wiggly food didn't usually last 5 mins and now they sit in her cage a day or two and she has gone to almost not eating any veggies. She seems to be deficating and passing urates normally and doesn't appear to be dehydrated, however, I think her casque doesn't look as full. I'm wondering if this could be from her losing a bit of weight? Could someone post a pic of a female veiled at her correct weight? I'll try and get a picture of Pokey tonight and post it. I think I'm just not used to seeing an normal weight female veiled but her sudden change in attitude has me a bit worried. Hopefully I'm over reacting but I'm prepared for a vet visit if need be. I'd appreciate your input!

Thank you,
Kim

Since veiled females can lay eggs without having been mated they need a suitable place to start to dig in the cage at all times. This way you won't miss the subtle signs that she needs to lay eggs and hopefully she won't become eggbound.

You said..."I was told she's never laid eggs. Is this unusual for a female of this age?"...not really. I have some that are 6 years old that have never laid a single egg. Diet and temperature play a part in it.

You said..."About a week and a half ago I noticed she seemed more grumpy than usual, refusing to take food from my hands and not going the brilliant green she usually goes after warming up in the morning. Crickets or other wiggly food didn't usually last 5 mins and now they sit in her cage a day or two and she has gone to almost not eating any veggies. She seems to be deficating and passing urates normally and doesn't appear to be dehydrated, however, I think her casque doesn't look as full"...this all sounds like she might be ready to lay eggs"...the only thing that is making me unsure of this is that you said she is losing weight. The other possibility is that she is reabsorbing her eggs....maybe. I would suggest that you get a suitable place for her to dig in in her cage ASAP (like today). I use a container that, when empty, is big enough for the female to fit into with several inches on all sides (including above her). I fill it about 2/3rds full of washed sandbox sand and make sure that she is aware that its there and make sure that she can get into it.

Thanks so much for the reply. I have a pot I can use and put in there this afternoon. Yesterday she went back to acting pretty normal with her green returning and she resumed taking food from my hands. I'll put the pot in there just in case and hope she continues to act like her "normal" self.

Previously, I think she was fed a mainly protein heavy diet. I was under the impression this could lead to not only fat but a female being more likely to lay eggs. I guess this hasn't been the case for Pokey. I'm just happy she seems to be doing better.