Kimo
09-30-04, 01:25 PM
Ok, so im not sure if this is the right forum to pe posting this, however, after reading tons of literature(sp?) on the breeding of chams, more specifically the female mortality rate after laying, i was somewhat intrigued to try and find a way to help increase the chances of survival, and still maintain a good healthy female Veiled, now 2 days after my chameleon has laid her eggs (33 in total) and eating on par with the amount she consumed before she became gravid, i thought i would share some of my findings. Now you must keep in mind, i only have one breeding to go off of here, so i wouldnt call it "knowledge found" just somthing that worked for me this time!
ok anyways to the point, i decided to mate my female at exactly 1 year of age!, and she's by no means the HUGE veileds you see pictures of in these forums, by her size, most would probably classify her as subadult, well anyways, i bred her to my male! and exactly 28 days after witnessed mating, she laid her eggs, but unlike alot of the sotries, or information i have read, she was super active after covering them up, still looked well hydrated, and none to skinny after her ordeal, i placed her in her cage after she was obviously done, with some fresh meal worms dusted in vitamin/mineral supplement, and calcium and vit d3 after drinking, and taking in 5 or so worms, she found her bed and went to sleep for the night (she laid at 8pm) so anyways....all of this was really just rambling, but im looking for people to give me there input on some of their own experiences breeding chameleons in their prime! (not of overly large size) and if you think perhaps their young age, and size, and the fact they are far more active than your typical sized adults may have contributed to a very healthy clutch, and still healthy mother, that shows no signs of being "drained"
also as this is my first time breeding chameleons i've read so much info, but cant figure out how the eggs are supposed to feel, look! mine are nice and white, and they arnt soft, like leo eggs, they have almost next to no give with slight pressure, and feel extremely full! i already know the temps they need to be kept at, and night temps aswell, and that they should be kept in the dark, because of the "startle effect" with the embryos, and the long wait thats ahead of me but if perhaps someone else could maybe give me some of their own experience, and pointers i would greatly appreciate it!
Josh
P.s. no bashing, if you dont have anything constructive to say, skip this thread, or if you have criticsim (sp?) to make, make it in a polite manner.
ok anyways to the point, i decided to mate my female at exactly 1 year of age!, and she's by no means the HUGE veileds you see pictures of in these forums, by her size, most would probably classify her as subadult, well anyways, i bred her to my male! and exactly 28 days after witnessed mating, she laid her eggs, but unlike alot of the sotries, or information i have read, she was super active after covering them up, still looked well hydrated, and none to skinny after her ordeal, i placed her in her cage after she was obviously done, with some fresh meal worms dusted in vitamin/mineral supplement, and calcium and vit d3 after drinking, and taking in 5 or so worms, she found her bed and went to sleep for the night (she laid at 8pm) so anyways....all of this was really just rambling, but im looking for people to give me there input on some of their own experiences breeding chameleons in their prime! (not of overly large size) and if you think perhaps their young age, and size, and the fact they are far more active than your typical sized adults may have contributed to a very healthy clutch, and still healthy mother, that shows no signs of being "drained"
also as this is my first time breeding chameleons i've read so much info, but cant figure out how the eggs are supposed to feel, look! mine are nice and white, and they arnt soft, like leo eggs, they have almost next to no give with slight pressure, and feel extremely full! i already know the temps they need to be kept at, and night temps aswell, and that they should be kept in the dark, because of the "startle effect" with the embryos, and the long wait thats ahead of me but if perhaps someone else could maybe give me some of their own experience, and pointers i would greatly appreciate it!
Josh
P.s. no bashing, if you dont have anything constructive to say, skip this thread, or if you have criticsim (sp?) to make, make it in a polite manner.