I've had my male veil for almost 3 weeks. He's a juvenile that wasn't handled AT ALL from the pet store i got him from. So far he's been nothing but a pain! I took him to the vet on day 2 to make sure he was healthy (he kept his eyes closed and i was worried), the vet said he was a little dehydrated, so by misting his cage i've now got him back to full hydration. Problem is, "Zilla" hates me! He lunges for me when i put my hands in the cage to empty the drip dish or release crickets. I can't even get him out to clean the cage. What can i do to make him understand I'm not a threat? Is this how all veileds act? Help plz

This is perfectly normal for a Veiled. He may chill out as he gets older, or he may get nastier!

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Julirs http://www.julirschameleons.com 2.2.50+ Veiled 1.1 Oustalet 1.2 Nosy Be 5.3.3 Pygmelions 1.0 Fischers 0.0.1 Mellers 0.1 Ambilobe 0.1 Side-Striped

When you are around him or put your hand in his cage, move VERY slow. Have patience with him and give him time. Maybe try to hand feed him worms. Maybe he might like that. Jann

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1.1 Veiled Chameleons & 1 Mixed Breed Dog

I have 2 veileds and they both were fiesty like that when they were small. They have both pretty much grown out of it. My female used to bite me so hard it left perfect little triangle marks on my skin! Just be patient, hopefully he will chill out a little with time.

Dude my veild is the same way, im scared of getting out 2 clean his cage 2.

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~mY chaM eaTs sUn 24/7~

yeah my female runs away from me when I open the cage to feed her. After awhile she will look but stay her distance from me. When I close the cage she will move up slowly with caution. She'll go to the feeder and peek one eye at me and eat. I stop feeding on Sunday so every monday I will try to bait her with some food. Not working but I'm still trying my best to tame her.

it's trust issue, really.
he probably saw your hand and equates it as "going to the vet" sensation.
It'll take time.

but, move slow, keep your heart beat calm, and put your hand slowly (wear gloves) under his front legs.
If your hand hover above or on his face, he'll automatically see it as threat.

you can open the cage and set up a plant outside of the door.
Usually, some veiled will get curious and start venturing to the plant.
Once he's out on the plant, took the plant and put him wherever you usually put him during cage cleaning (this is a good opportunity to put him outside to sun).

hope that helps

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CARE FOR VEILED AND PANTHER CHAMELEON AT:
http://chamworld.blogspot.com

thanks for all the tips glad to know most veileds are crotchety and not just mine. hopefully zilla will mellow, i hate to stress him so much.

what part of texas are you from? I just bought a male veiled that was more or less the same way in lubbock. He hates it when my hand goes in there, but for some reason if a sock is on it he crawls right on it with no problem then i can take the sock off and he's fine crawling around my hand

also i have noticed with mine colors have alot to do with it wear very light mellow colors around him equivalent to their relaxed colors and it helps also offering food or treats like wax worms to them helps i usually leave mines door open till he wants to come out