Chameleon Explosion

August 11, 2000

Well, not really, but practically. My veiled chameleon, Emerald, who was not quite 6 months old, began producing eggs in July. By my birthday, she was visibly swollen and very uncomfortable. She began to look like she had swallowed a golf ball, whole. That golf ball grew to the size of a plum by the time she finally let them go!

I was advised to breed her so the eggs would form shells and she would pass them. She bred on July 26 and 27 with Pontiff, and continued to get larger and more uncomfortable. I transferred her to a laying container (a garbage barrel with soil and a plant in it) and she became unable to eat (she was 'full' of eggs, there was no room). So, we hand-fed her, and then one day, I came home to find eggs scattered everywhere. 51 in all! She is recovering, but is quite weak from the ordeal!

UPDATE! Another Egg!

I came home from work on Tuesday, August 22 and found that Emerald had dropped yet another egg! The egg was very well formed and had some weight to it. I put it in the incubator with the other 51...and I am hoping that she recovers soon from the experience. She is getting a little bit stronger and feistier each day, so I'll just keep spoon feeding her and get her back to normal!

We have her clutch in the incubator now, along with Maureen's clutch, sired by Balder. Maureen laid her eggs the week before - just 22 of them.