Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a female Veiled Chameleon who laid a clutch of 46 eggs on 20 July. I'm noticing that she is gaining quite a bit of weight recently. How long after egg depositing can a female lay another clutch? Also I am incubating the last clutch at 80 degrees, is there a need to lower temps for a diapause or will it just mean a lengthier incubation? Thanks in advance for your input.
Pete

There is some good recent info on veileds and egg laying at www.chameleonnews.com over the past several issues. It may answer your questions better than I can.

Can someone please answer the questions that were posed??? Every time I ask a question in this forum I am referred to chameleonnews.com! I've read all the articles on that website. Someone with experience please answer my questions.
Thanks!
Pete

you are touching on a subject that not many people are willing to discuss, everyone does it different. if you have read all those articles, why are u incubating at 80 degrees? mid 70's is much better, and healthier, at least to start with.
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1 Chameleo Melleri

they can also lay another clutch about 2-3 months later, but it varies. try placing a shoe box sized container of sand in there, if you see her go to dig in it, it's time for her to lay. a diapause can be very helpful to the development of eggs, generally the faster they hatch, the less heatlthy they are, at least from what i have been told. i incubate at 74-76 degree daytime temps.
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groups.msn.com/JEChameleons
1.1 Chameleo Calyptratus
1 Chameleo Melleri

I agree in that you should just try her out in an egg laying container, whether you put it in her cage or put her in another. Do it however it worked last time. I wouldn't be suprised if she was ready to lay (by the time frame you said) because some chameleons are quick in their turnaround. I don't suppose you weighed her before she laid last time did you? If you did (nobody seems to do that but it helps SO MUCH! COME ON PEOPLE!) she will be close to the same weight when she's ready to lay again. For example, a chameleon (veiled or whatever) weighs 85 grams when she's ready to lay. She lays her eggs and gets down to 60. The next time that she is ready to lay, she'll be close to 85 grams again or slightly more (because of growth). Once a female is bred, they don't grow a whole lot more after that (kinda stunts it). They get the sperm retention thing going and it takes all their body's strength to make the eggs. That's why you need to supplement gravid girls so much. Good luck with whatever happens.
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Tyler Stewart
Las Vegas NV
1.2 Nosy Be Panthers
2.2 Sambava Panthers
1.0 Tamatave Panther
1.0 Nosy Be X Unknown Cross
1.1 Veiled Chameleons
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