I've been using a makeshift laying bucket for some time now and I finally got tired of all the tape and wires.  I finally decided to fix things up a bit and I thought I would share this simple project with you.  I like to keep an eye on my Chameleons when they are laying.  Of course absolute discretion is required because if your female Cham catches you spying on her she will often stop laying and can even die egg bound.  Curiosity can kill a laying Cham!

To give my little girl a feeling of privacy, I use a cool little wireless spy cam I ordered off the internet just for this purpose.  At the time I bought it, this was about the smallest camera available.  Now I understand they come MUCH smaller and do a decent job too.  I don't put mine in the ladies locker room as suggested by the manufacturer - honest!  Your local spy shop should be able to help you find a small "nanny cam" to suit your budget.

I bought a small octagonal fish tank that came with a hood and small bulb from the local Walmart.  This lamp provides some heat and enough light for both the Cham and the cam to work.

A large plastic garbage can filled a bit more than half way with tropical potting soil makes a good laying substrate.  Getting the soil wet enough to hold a tunnel but not too wet is the hardest part.  You should decorate the bucket with some plants, a rock or two, some sticks and some bark.  Make sure your little gal won't be able to climb the stick and escape or burn herself on the light.

I used some "No More Nails" glue to stick the lamp to the inside of the garbage can lid and cut a small hole for the cord.  When a female is laying I can watch her on TV without disturbing her laying.

For a cheaper solution you can just cut a small viewing hole in the lid or better yet, just leave her totally alone.  But where's the fun in that?