Breeding chameleons can often be very tricky. First, introduce the female into the males enclosure. Some breeders like to introduce the male into the females cage, but I prefer to do it this way because my male cages are larger than my female cages. If the male wants to breed, he will immediately begin bobbing his head and turning his colors to their best, while if he doesn’t, he will darken up, and normally retreat and hide, or act aggressive by gaping, hissing, biting, ect. If she wants to breed, she will turn a uniform orange/pink color, while if she doesn‘t, she will act in the same manner as the male. If they breed successfully, in approximately 3-5 weeks, she will normally lay eggs. There can be anywhere from 6-60 eggs. However 15-35 is more average.

     To prepare a nesting site, simply get a non-perlite potting soil, top soil, or if available, “supersoil”. Keep it at a damp consistency, but not wet or soaked. Put the soil in a bucket approximately 12 inches deep, and try to put some extra foliage in front of the bucket to make the female feel more secure. Once she lays them, you can carefully begin to excavate the nest. Dig carefully with your finger tips, feeling for eggs, being sure not to disturb the orientation of them, even though most experts agree that this early in development it makes no difference. To prepare an incubating bin to keep the eggs in, simply buy a plastic shoe box, roughly 12”x8”x3”(clear preferred). Poke about 3 1/8” holes in the cover. Next, fill up the shoe box with a sterilized coarse vermiculite, about 1.5” deep. Make the vermiculite 1 part water to 1 part vermiculite. Place each egg an inch or so apart to form rows. Each egg should be about ¾ covered in vermiculite. If incubated at 74 degrees, they will hatch in about 8 months.