FIFTY-ONE EGGS!!
Here is a deli dish with some of the eggs. I stuck a quarter in there to give you some perspective.
It took me an hour to dig them all up and get them nestled in damp vermiculite (this soil-type stuff) and into the incubator. Mind you, it took the female veiled chameleon over twelve hours to dig the tunnel and lay the eggs. That's the longest it's taken her. And that's the most eggs she's ever laid. Fifty-one eggs! If you saw her in real life, you'd be scratching your head and wondering where she tucked them all away.
The current argument at our house: Should we try to hatch these eggs ourselves or should we turn them over to the pet store for hatching?
We haven't had much luck in hatching eggs. Out of the 91 (I think that's the right number) eggs thus far, we've only had two live births. And the babies only lived for about a week each. Child #2, who is the owner of the veileds but who has morphed into a 16 year old and has little to do with his chameleons, wants to have the pet store incubate the eggs. His mother, who handles the bulk of the chameleon care, wants to try hatching them again. I know our stats are grim, but I feel that we've learned a lot and I can't resist a challenge! A challenge Child #4 and I could take on!
A little additional info: If the pet store hatches the eggs, they take half of what they would be pay you for the babies (about $25/month-old baby). For me, it has nothing to do with the money. We're never going to get rich or even pay for a week's worth of groceries with the veiled chameleon endeavor. Not when you add in the price of live crickets, meal worms, electricity for the heat lamps, etc.
Happy Friday to all!
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I’d try just one more time – just to see what happens and to say I gave it my best effort. This from a woman who played a significant (!) role in numerous guppy birthings – some successful, some not.
ReplyDeleteAmazing how involved we become in our children’s hobbies & pet endeavours.
Could you keep half and try yourself and give the other half to the pet shop to incubate? Or do they need to stay together? I would want the challenge of trying as well :)
ReplyDeleteOkay, I don't know why - but all those eggs kind of creep me out. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow that's so many eggs. I was just trying to imagine how she had them all stored in her body. Maybe that's not how it happens.
ReplyDeleteWow! I am so glad that I only ever have to have one at a time. :S
ReplyDeletewow... g'luck with that, barrie and #4 :)
ReplyDeleteBeth: It is amazing how involved we get. Kind of scary. ;)
ReplyDeleteJen: That is exactly what Mr. Summy suggested--giving 1/2 to the pet store. And, yes, you can divide up the clutch.
Lotus girl: That is exactly how it happens. All those eggs grow in her until it's time to lay them. At the later stages of pregnancy, you can see the outlines of some of the eggs poking at her from the inside.
Rebecca: awww....no they're not gross at all. Cute!!
Laughing Wolf: I suspect we need a great deal of luck!
I agree with the half idea as long as the pet store promises to share the end stats with you. However, since you take care of it I think it should be your say.
ReplyDeleteI say keep some and try again, and give some away to pet store. 51 eggs that is a lot of eggs. No wonder it took her that long. Anna :)
ReplyDeleteI say give it one last try. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
ReplyDeleteone never knows til one tries :)
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoy it and have learned from your mistakes, try again. It will teach your kids a good lesson too about not giving up. Plus these posts are interesting. I’m rooting for success. Can you tell this advice came from an unpublished author with 2 MSS on submission?
ReplyDeleteWe had a similar situation with dove's eggs hatching to viable chicks and having our rabbits successfully give birth to babies that lived beyond 12 hours. It took the birds four tries and the rabbits two, so I would say that three should be the lucky number.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking she has 51 eggs so there's a chance at least one will live. So don't feel guilty if they don't all make it.
ReplyDeleteLove the new look!
You can let the pet store do it for you? That is pretty cool. But if you like trying...
ReplyDeleteThat's so amazing! I can see why it would be tempting to try again. It must be incredible to watch them hatch.
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