Instructions
Watch for changes in behavior. Egg bound chameleons frequently spend most of their time on the floor of the cage rather than perching on a branch or hunting. Your chameleon may seem lethargic. Some chameleons strain, hiss or rub their bodies along the cage wall when egg bound. Chameleons often scratch the ground before laying eggs, so if you notice your chameleon scratching and then exhibiting lethargic behavior, she is likely egg bound.
Monitor your chameleon's eating habits. Egg bound chameleons normally stop eating and do not hunt, even if prey items crawl nearby. In most cases, however, they continue to drink water unless they are very weak.
Observe your chameleon's physical appearance. Egg binding frequently causes sunken eyes. Chameleons rarely close their eyes during daylight hours, so if your chameleon seems to be sleeping, she might actually be egg bound. Dark and nondescript coloration as well as dry and wrinkly skin may also indicate egg binding.
How to Identify an Egg Bound Chameleon
Egg binding is a serious and relatively common medical emergency among female chameleons. When a chameleon is egg bound, she is unable to pass an egg stuck in her reproductive tract. To prevent egg binding, provide your chameleon with a proper egg-laying box, a humid enclosure and plenty of calcium. Egg bound chameleons die if they do not receive prompt veterinary care, so identifying an egg bound chameleon in the early stages of the condition is critically important.