If you’re looking to breed chameleons, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will guide you through the exact steps you need to take to successfully breed chameleons.
Let’s start with the first step.
What Will I Learn?
Step 1: Finding a Chameleon Pair to Mate
Chameleons Reproduce Sexually
First things first – you need a male-female chameleon pair.
While females can lay infertile eggs without mating, no chameleons reproduce asexually.
If you’ve got no chameleons to mate, a trusted breeder should offer you chameleon pairs.
Ensure a Genuine Pair
Accurately determining the gender of juvenille chameleons can be challenging.
That is why you want a reputable breeder.
Reputable breeders use a combination of techniques and experience to increase the accuracy of determining chameleon gender and providing you a genuine pair.
Make Sure They’re Captive-Bred
Prioritize captive-bred chameleons over imports to reduce the likelihood of stress and parasitic infections.
Juvenile vs. Adult Pairs
The trustworthy breeder should offer either juvenile or adult pairs.
Opting for a juvenile pair is recommended. You want to avoid adult pairs since their exact age might be unknown, and you could inadvertently acquire a chameleon past its breeding prime.
Juvenile chameleons are in the middle ground, being past the fragile baby stage but not as old as adults whose exact age and remaining lifespan might be unknown.
Once You Have a Pair, Keep Them in Separate Cages
While it’s possible to keep a breeding pair together continuously, separate cages are recommended.
Not only does this ensure their individual safety and reduce potential stress, but occasional separation can also make breeding encounters more effective.
The adage “absence makes the heart grow fonder” holds true in this context.
Raise Them to Adulthood Before Breeding
Raise your juvenile chameleons to adulthood before initiating the breeding process.
Breeding a sub-adult female is particularly hazardous.
Her body, still in the growth phase, will be under immense stress producing and laying eggs. This strain can significantly reduce her lifespan. Therefore, patience and timing are crucial for the health of the female and the success of the breeding endeavor.
Step 2: Mating
Introducing the Chameleons to Each Other
After ensuring both chameleons are fully matured, you can initiate the mating process. Gently introduce the female into the male’s enclosure. Some believe placing the female in the male’s territory makes him more inclined to mate due to his natural instinct to dominate his territory. However, introducing the male into the female’s territory can also work.
Initial Observation
Watch the female’s behavior closely right after introducing her. This initial interaction will provide crucial clues about the likelihood of successful mating.
Signs of Receptiveness
- Male’s Reaction: The male will usually notice the female right away and may approach her.
- Female’s Reaction: If the female is ovulating and receptive to mating, she will generally move slowly and might appear indifferent to the male’s advances. This behavior indicates she’s willing to mate.
Signs of Non-Receptiveness
If the female is not receptive, she may exhibit behaviors like rapidly attempting to escape, gaping (opening her mouth wide in a hissing manner), or showing aggression toward the male.
Proceeding with Mating
- If the female is receptive, mating will ensue, lasting between 5 to 30 minutes.
- However, if she displays non-receptive behaviors, it’s crucial to separate the pair immediately to prevent potential injury, especially from an aggressive male.
Duration
- While the actual mating may last up to 30 minutes, if you want to ensure successful fertilization, you can let them stay together for up to 24 hours. This gives them multiple opportunities to mate.
- After this period, remove the female to prevent any stress or injury.
Repeated Attempts
- If the initial attempt was unsuccessful because the female wasn’t receptive, wait a few days before trying again. This will give her some rest and possibly make her more receptive in the subsequent attempt.
Remember, the well-being of the chameleons is the top priority. Mating can be stressful, and repeated unsuccessful attempts can be particularly taxing for the female. Ensure they are both in good health and monitor their behaviors closely throughout the process.
Step 3: Gestation
Do Chameleons Lay Eggs?
Most chameleon species lay eggs, which means they are “oviparous”… but a smaller number of chameleon species are viviparous, which means they give birth to live young.
- Oviparous Chameleons: The majority of chameleon species are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. After mating, the female will carry the eggs inside her body for a period ranging from a few weeks to several months, depending on the species. She will then lay the eggs in a carefully chosen location, usually buried in the ground or in leaf litter, where they will incubate for a period that can range from several months to over a year, again depending on the species.
- Viviparous Chameleons: A smaller number of chameleon species are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. In these species, the eggs are incubated inside the mother’s body, and the young are born fully formed. This reproductive strategy is more common among species living in cooler climates, where external temperatures are too low to ensure the incubation of eggs laid in the environment.
After Chameleon Mating Comes Gestation
With the mating successfully accomplished, the next phase of breeding chameleons is the gestation period, where the eggs are developed and shelled inside the female.
How Long Do Chameleons Eggs Take to Hatch?
Gestation in most chameleon species lasts around 30 days, give or take five days either way… but know that gestation can differ widely based on species.
Exceptional Cases
Some chameleon species have notably longer gestation periods. An illustrative example is the Sailfin chameleon (Trioceros cristatus). Even when looking fully gravid, they might wait over two months before laying eggs.
Understanding “Gravid”
The term “gravid” is synonymous with “pregnant” but is often used for egg-laying animals. So, when your female chameleon is carrying eggs, she’s gravid.
Gestation Nutrition
- The gestation period demands additional care in terms of nutrition: The saying “garbage in, garbage out” hints that the quality of nutrients a chameleon consumes directly affects it health and its developing eggs.
- Increase her food intake: Offer gravid females more crickets daily, let her consume as much as she wishes. It’s also beneficial to diversify her diet with other insects like waxworms, roaches, and hornworms. Trust the chameleon’s instinct regarding how much to eat.
- Supplementation: As the female forms eggshells, her calcium needs increase. Dust her food with high-quality calcium supplements 2-3 times a week. Popular choices include Repashy SuperCal NoD and LoD or Miner-All. However, exercise caution with vitamin D3 supplementation; excessive amounts can be detrimental to her health.
This phase demands keen observation and careful care. It’s critical to offer optimal nutrition, ensuring the health of the gravid female and the successful development of her eggs.
As always, prioritize her well-being and consult expert guidance or literature specific to your chameleon species for precise care recommendations.
Step 4: Egg-Laying
When the female chameleon reaches the end of her gestation period, she’s primed to lay her eggs. You may wonder, “How do I determine the right moment?” The answer is surprisingly straightforward. Monitor her daily, and when she descends to the cage floor, that’s the cue.
Sign of Readiness
Monitor the female chameleon daily. Her descending to the cage floor signals she’s ready to lay eggs.
You see, chameleons are primarily arboreal animals, so being on the ground usually indicates they’re seeking an egg-laying site.
Egg-Laying Bin Setup
Obtain a large plastic bin (around 24” x 18” x 18”).
Fill with a 3:1 mix of peat moss and sand.
Pack substrate to an approximate depth of 8 inches.
Introducing the Chameleon to the egg-laying bin
Transfer the gravid female into the bin.
Cover two-thirds of the bin with its lid to ensure some light and ample privacy.
Allow her to be undisturbed during this process.
Monitoring
To discreetly monitor the female without bothering her, you can attach a remote camera to the bin’s edge.
Then you can remotely view and keep tabs on her through a smartphone app.
Most importantly, you can determine when she’s done laying eggs, and identify her egg-laying spot.
This knowledge of her egg-laying spot comes in handy during the delicate process of egg extraction
How Do You Know Chameleon is Done Laying Eggs?
When you notic and a concealed egg-laying hole suggest she’s laid and covered her eggs.
When you notice her size reducing and the substrate hole/tunnel is closed, it shows that she has skillfully laid and hidden her eggs.
Monitoring with the camera is beneficial because pinpointing her initial tunnel can be a challenge….
And once it’s time to extract the eggs, it’s invaluable to know exactly where to start.
Step 5 (Egg Retrieval and Incubation)
Retrieving the Eggs
- Locate the Nest: Using the footage from your remote camera, identify the exact spot where the female has laid her eggs. This reduces unnecessary disturbance to the rest of the substrate.
- Digging: Start by gently removing the top layer of the substrate, working slowly and carefully towards the eggs. It’s essential to ensure that you do not puncture, rotate, or damage them in any way. Remember, they’re delicate!
- Handling the Eggs: Once you uncover the eggs, gently lift them out. Handle them with utmost care, ensuring that you do not change their orientation. Some breeders mark the top of the egg with a soft pencil to ensure they remain in the same position.
Incubation
- Substrate Preparation: For incubation, you’ll require a substrate that can hold moisture without being wet. A commonly used substrate is a mixture of perlite and water, though vermiculite is also used. The substrate should feel moist to touch, but not wet. The ideal consistency is when you can squeeze it without water dripping out.
- Container: Use a container with a tight-fitting lid. Make several small air holes in the lid for ventilation.
- Placement: Gently place the eggs in the substrate, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Half-bury them in the substrate.
- Temperature: Maintain a consistent temperature, which varies depending on the species. For many chameleon species, temperatures between 72°F to 80°F (22°C to 27°C) work well. Stability is key. Fluctuations can harm the developing embryos.
- Monitoring: Regularly check the moisture levels and temperature in the container. If the substrate seems to be drying out, you can add a few drops of water, but ensure the eggs themselves don’t get wet to prevent mold growth.
- Development: Over the incubation period, you might notice some eggs might start to mold or shrivel. These are infertile or non-viable and should be carefully removed to prevent the spread of mold.
Step 6 (Hatching)
After several months, the exciting moment arrives!
Observing Changes
As the time for hatching approaches, the eggs might swell or appear slightly dimpled.
Let Nature Take its Course
When baby chameleons are ready, they’ll begin cutting a small slit in the egg using a special egg tooth. This process can take hours, so it’s essential to be patient and not interfere.
Post-Hatch Care
Once the baby chameleons emerge, they should be moved to a prepared enclosure with appropriate conditions for young chameleons. This includes suitable food, temperatures, and hydration.
Breeding chameleons is a journey of patience, attention to detail, and commitment. However, the reward of seeing those little creatures emerge from their eggs is unparalleled. Good luck with your breeding endeavors!