An Update from the Veiled Chameleon Incubators
I am very sad to report that the eggs from the last batch (45 eggs laid at the end of June) are not doing very well. These were the smallest eggs our veiled chameleon has ever laid. Also, they weren't the sparkling white color we've come to expect from her eggs. And she laid this clutch only two months after the previous clutch. She generally waits three months in between clutches. All that to say, perhaps these eggs just weren't healthy enough to make it. I'm even wondering how many of them were fertilized. Yes, the sparks were flying between her and the male, but maybe it wasn't all timed quite right.
Anyway, the 45 eggs are now down to only five eggs. So sad. :(
The eggs below the pink line (nice touch, eh?) are from the most recent batch. The two yellowish eggs (below the line, left side) have bitten the dust since I took this photo for you guys.
Here is the latest gadget purchased for my adventures in veiled chameleon midwifery. It's an (or is it a?) hygrometer for measuring the humidity in the incubators. It gets pretty dry in my neck of the woods during the summer. And we have several eggs (five, to be exact, from the February clutch) that keep trying to shrivel up. So, I've placed cups of water and a (or is it an?) hygromter in each incubator in an attempt to get a handle on the humidity issue.
Mr Summy and Child #2 are not above reminding me of a certain discussion where they encouraged me to let the pet store hatch the eggs. But, oh no, I insisted I wanted the challenge of hatching the eggs at home. Things are looking a little grim. But this is the longest we've kept this many eggs alive. That's saying something, right?
Wish me luck. Cross your fingers. Cross your toes. Cross your eyes (a little chameleon humor!).