Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have Luna’s laying tub in the bottom of the cage. Her cage is 4’ high and she spends 99% of her time within the top 12”. Of course, the bottom is considerably cooler, thus making her tub cool and damp. Is this OK? I have two plant stands in there so I could move it up to either level. Would she be more/less apt to use it there or where it is? Another option is that I have a small UTH that I could place on the side of the cage or somewhere near the tub to keep it warmer. Am I worrying about nothing? I am hoping she is close b/c she looks so uncomfortable. go here if you want to see the cage setup (for some reason it won't post) gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.pl?photo=120530

Thanks,
lele

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0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

Lele,

No telling what goes thru a chams mind before laying. We have tried just about everything. What has worked out best for us lately is a large cage 4 ft tall 2 foot x 2 foot. It has a UV light on top with a large pothos plant hanging in the middle. A large sterilite tub 60 qt filled with 1 foot of damp potting soil/sand mixture in the bottom. A 40 watt clip lamp just above the tub for heat. There are several branches going down into the tub. Our last 4-5 clutches have been layed in here. This doesn't seem to disrupt the routine an much as moving them into just a bucket. Lights and drip/misting system go on and off as usual and they are free to go up and down the branches/plant as they choose. Morgana sometimes will take a broom handle and make a starter hole for them if they seem confused as to where to dig or have started several shallow holes.

We have had them just drop their eggs without trying to bury them, the eggs hatched. We have used a large plastic garbage can, a rope handled tote for kids toys(20 clutches in this setup),a 5 gallon bucket, some dug down thru the roots of the ficus plants and layed, even though there was a laying bucket in their enclosure. When we were having clutches at home we put a towel in front of the cage for privacy. The only thing I can think of that didn't work was using a glass aquarium. This seemed to freak the cham out. Might have been their reflection in the glass.

Hope this helps,
Yosemite
Reptayls, Ltd

Yosemite - thanks for this info! I had an "ah-ha" moment when you mentioned the light for warmth (maybe it should have been a "duh" moment - LOL!!). I actually am using a glass aquarium but it is filled to the brim with moist coco-fiber and is in a corner so only one side is exposed and little chance of reflection - but I may re-think it.

thanks again - most helpful!
lele

>>Lele,
>>
>>No telling what goes thru a chams mind before laying. We have tried just about everything. What has worked out best for us lately is a large cage 4 ft tall 2 foot x 2 foot. It has a UV light on top with a large pothos plant hanging in the middle. A large sterilite tub 60 qt filled with 1 foot of damp potting soil/sand mixture in the bottom. A 40 watt clip lamp just above the tub for heat. There are several branches going down into the tub. Our last 4-5 clutches have been layed in here. This doesn't seem to disrupt the routine an much as moving them into just a bucket. Lights and drip/misting system go on and off as usual and they are free to go up and down the branches/plant as they choose. Morgana sometimes will take a broom handle and make a starter hole for them if they seem confused as to where to dig or have started several shallow holes.
>>
>>We have had them just drop their eggs without trying to bury them, the eggs hatched. We have used a large plastic garbage can, a rope handled tote for kids toys(20 clutches in this setup),a 5 gallon bucket, some dug down thru the roots of the ficus plants and layed, even though there was a laying bucket in their enclosure. When we were having clutches at home we put a towel in front of the cage for privacy. The only thing I can think of that didn't work was using a glass aquarium. This seemed to freak the cham out. Might have been their reflection in the glass.
>>
>>
>>
>>Hope this helps,
>>Yosemite
>>Reptayls, Ltd
-----
0.1 veiled - Luna
0.2 green anoles Jaida & Jetta
0.1 brown anole - Jamaica
0.2 house geckos - Gaia & Tia
0.2 felines - Kyndra and Líta

np