The chameleon that came in egg-bound (see article 5th March) was found to be deficient in calcium. This is a fairly common problem in captive chameleons and it can be quite difficult to ensure the correct ratios of calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D and UV light. These factors can all play a role in the amount of calcium a chameleon takes in and then absorbs in a way that it can use effectively. The end result of a deficiency is that bones do not grow correctly (often curved instead of straight) and eggs cannot form the correct shell structure and then cannot be laid.

The xray below shows the very thin cortex (outer part of the bones) and how the bones have curved in this chameleon.

Note the curved bone and thin cortex                 The bones are straighter and the cortex thicker

                 CALCIUM DEFICIENT                                                  NORMAL