Young extended family members and Chameleons

ZiggyStardust

New Member
I had my brother and sister in law call round this morning for an hour, together with my niece and nephew (9 year old twins). Although they live in the same town, we don't see them frequently and aren't particularly close - we get together about 3 times a year for christmas and family birthdays etc.

They knew that I had two chameleons and have seen photographs but this was the first time that they had actually seen them in the flesh.

Luckily, they called round just as I was preparing their food this morning, so they helped to feed them both. I cautioned them to be as quiet as possible around both the cages, to not get to close to them or make any sudden or exaggerated movements (Ziggy, my Veiled in particular is not a very friendly lizard at all - he will come to me but only me and he shies away from people that he has never seen before). My niece and nephew were fascinated to watch them both eat, and I told them a little about how they were kept, why there was water dripping into the cages etc., and answered their questions.

About 20 minutes later, however, both of them were asking to hold them. I tried to explain as gently as possible that chameleons were not a lizard that coped well with being held, and that Ziggy in particular got very upset if taken out of his cage unless it was his decision. Given the fact that they had both just had their breakfast and were basking, I did not want to disturb them, and just asked my niece and nephew to perhaps just watch them quietly instead and suggested that maybe next time we could perhaps think about getting Ghengis (my young panther, who is much more friendly) out. I did explain that Ghengis had recently suffered a broken tail and had been to the vet twice last week and handled much more frequently than he should have been, so I didn't want to disturb him today.

I then had to endure about 15 minutes of "pleeeeeze aunty Rachel, just 5 minutes?" and "we won't hurt them, honestly" - I stuck to my guns, despite what can only be described as a slightly sniffy look from my sister in law, who clearly did not understand why I was not willing to get them out. They left shortly afterwards and to be honest, I did feel a little guilty, they are only children after all and have never seen a chameleon in their lives before. I am now however glad that I refused though - Ziggy would have hated every minute of it and Ghengis has had enough stress for the time being.

How do you guys cope when young guests see your chameleons and want to handle them?
 
There is nothing wrong in what you did, you understand this animals, they dont, could you imagine your sister in law if one of the chameleons had bitten one of their kids, she would have wanted it euthanized, i go thru it every so often when my friends kids come over they are 5 year old twins (which i love both of them), they rock the cages, try to open them, tap on the screen, run around the cages, shout because they cant find the cham inside the cage, shout when they finally find it, and i have to put my foot down, at least my friends dont get mad when i tell them to leave my chams alone, ohh and dont let me start with my saltwater reef tank, one of these days i swear they are going to spill something inside, lol

Sana
 
I agree that a later time is better - after a vet filled week it's not the time- I usually try and have extra tasty snacks for the chameleons around when I know kids might be around for a visit - and let them try and hand feed and just go with that, and only with the ones I don't think are going to pull their hands out of the way. I'll explain to them why I don't handle them often and point out signs of stress - In a rare case I have let Chumley go from me to a younger arm. I figured that since she didn't have a problem with the silk worm she would be ok with him and she was -
My Chameleons aren't fond of being handled by me - and don't get handled often - I think that a bit of handling makes vet visits and cage cleaning easier in the long run and but you shouldn't feel guilty - when Ghengis feels better they will have another chance- or not depending on his moods not theirs. I'd encourage their interest - but stick to your guns.
 
I had my brother and sister in law call round this morning for an hour, together with my niece and nephew (9 year old twins). Although they live in the same town, we don't see them frequently and aren't particularly close - we get together about 3 times a year for christmas and family birthdays etc.

They knew that I had two chameleons and have seen photographs but this was the first time that they had actually seen them in the flesh.

Luckily, they called round just as I was preparing their food this morning, so they helped to feed them both. I cautioned them to be as quiet as possible around both the cages, to not get to close to them or make any sudden or exaggerated movements (Ziggy, my Veiled in particular is not a very friendly lizard at all - he will come to me but only me and he shies away from people that he has never seen before). My niece and nephew were fascinated to watch them both eat, and I told them a little about how they were kept, why there was water dripping into the cages etc., and answered their questions.

About 20 minutes later, however, both of them were asking to hold them. I tried to explain as gently as possible that chameleons were not a lizard that coped well with being held, and that Ziggy in particular got very upset if taken out of his cage unless it was his decision. Given the fact that they had both just had their breakfast and were basking, I did not want to disturb them, and just asked my niece and nephew to perhaps just watch them quietly instead and suggested that maybe next time we could perhaps think about getting Ghengis (my young panther, who is much more friendly) out. I did explain that Ghengis had recently suffered a broken tail and had been to the vet twice last week and handled much more frequently than he should have been, so I didn't want to disturb him today.

I then had to endure about 15 minutes of "pleeeeeze aunty Rachel, just 5 minutes?" and "we won't hurt them, honestly" - I stuck to my guns, despite what can only be described as a slightly sniffy look from my sister in law, who clearly did not understand why I was not willing to get them out. They left shortly afterwards and to be honest, I did feel a little guilty, they are only children after all and have never seen a chameleon in their lives before. I am now however glad that I refused though - Ziggy would have hated every minute of it and Ghengis has had enough stress for the time being.

How do you guys cope when young guests see your chameleons and want to handle them?

I would just tell them that the chameleons will bite. No kid wants to be bitten by a lizard. Tell their mom that the chameleons are ditry, or......they got worms!
 
I would just tell them that the chameleons will bite. No kid wants to be bitten by a lizard. Tell their mom that the chameleons are ditry, or......they got worms!

But that's not true and I don't want to mislead anyone or end up having people scared of my chams.....
 
Harsh maybe Sensible yes..

No means no, I would converse at an appropriate moment with your Sister in law, and try to orginize a good time for another visit, use this convo as a quick education lesson for her.

And then on the pre-arranged visit, use that as an educational session for your niece and nephew.
 
No means no, I would converse at an appropriate moment with your Sister in law, and try to orginize a good time for another visit, use this convo as a quick education lesson for her.

And then on the pre-arranged visit, use that as an educational session for your niece and nephew.

Great idea Scoob, thanks.:D
 
I do my best to let children hold my chameleons under strict supervision. Appreciation of chameleons will grow with these children. Most children are in such a state of wonder that they will do anything I tell them and I have them hold their hands out and at eye level and gently coax the chameleon to step onto their hand. Chameleons aren't really that fragile. I have had great experiences sharing chameleons with kids.

That said, you must use your best judgement as to what kids are able to handle staying still. Giggly, bouncing around kids are not good candidates. You need to use your own judgement as to if your chameleons are in the mood. All it takes is for a stressed chameleon to leap into space for kids to scream and little feet to go stomping about.

This is not only about the chameleon's comfort level, but your's as well. Both need to be aligned. If you don't feel like it is the right time then go with your gut and wait until you feel it is the right time to share the chameleon holding experience. From what you described, I, even in my full chameleon evangelist mode, would have judged the chameleons not in a suitable mood to be held. I would have gently explained the situation to the kids and then charged my sister-in-law for admission based on attitude. 18% gratuity added for having to deal with sniffy facial expressions.

Bill
 
But that's not true and I don't want to mislead anyone or end up having people scared of my chams.....

White lies ^_-. My 5 year old isn't allowed near my chams. She likes them and all, but she pulls on their tails. I tell her that they will bite her and she will go the hospital so she stays away. lol.
 
You said everything you could, you're looking out for the health of your animals, and you know their temperment. These were kids, but they're 9 years old, they should understand that next time would be better.

If anything your sister in law should have stepped in and said that they were already told no and to knock it off.
 
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