Kelley,
Your chameleon is obviously ready to deposit eggs. Most reptiles cease food intake, or at least decrease it drastically, prior to oviposition. Your lizard can retain the eggs for a bit longer, but the possibility of eggbinding is high if a suitable laying site is not provided. The following is a very brief personal technique:
1) Fill up a container, preferably a cilindrical one (such as a 5 G. bucket or larger), with at least 8 inches of playsand.
2) Add water to the sand while mixing it until you obtain the correct consistency. NOT SO WET OR DRY so that when you try to make a tunnel it collapses.
3) Stick a small branch into the sand to allow the animal to rest on it if it chooses so.
4) Add a small spotlight (or fluorescent light) above it, and a screen lidm if you have one. Make sure that the temperature inside the bucket does not exceed 90 degrees. ****Obviously, the temperature DIRECTLY below the spotlight (if you are using a heat bulb) will be a bit higher than 90 degrees. Just make sure there is a gradient.
5) Place the animal inside the bucket, and DO NOT DISTURB IT. CHeck on it every 20 minutes or so, if possible, without letting her see you.
6) The chameleon may make MANY "test holes" before it decides to use one, or it may, if it's desperate, dig the first one and lay there.
7) It may take up to 12 hours to complete the whole process, although I have seen C. lateralis do so in 30 minutes, using the first "test hole."
8) Once it has begun digging, DO NOT TURN OFF THE LIGHT, even if it takes longer than 12 hours. The chameleon will dig (usually) until it can dig no more, or until it has reached the bottom of the bucket. There, it will continue digging around until it creates a large enough hole to turn around. Then, it will begin climbing back up, expose its head, and begin laying. This may take anywhere from 10, to over 30 minutes. Once the chameleon has finished laying, it will cover the eggs until no trace of digging is left. IT IS IMPORTANT to allow the female to finish the whole process (and COVER THE EGGS), as to not disrupt this very synchonized biological process.
9) After she has deposited the eggs, TAKE CARE OF HER first: Place her in the shower (or mist her) to wash out all the sand around her eyes. See if she will drink. Then place her inside her enclosure and take care of the eggs accordingly.
I apologize for such informality and lack of organization in my message, but I hope it wil help you.
All the best,
Fabián
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Fabián Aguirre
Zookeeper/ Freshwater Aquarist
Department of Herpetology and Freshwater Biology
The Dallas World Aquarium
(214) 720-2224
fabian@dwazoo.com
www.dwazoo.com
