afraid of my face

[tagerlilly18]

Hi guys I was wondering if there was a way to help my guy likki become more comfortable with my face? I know with hands you associate them with good things but I can't really do that with my face lol. He has no problems with my hands or head its just my face,he thinks I'm going to eat him I think . will he just learn its not a threat in time and make the connection that my face,head and hands are all me? He stares at my face and is intimidated by it so I try not to let him see me look at him do you think that's helping? Thanks guys! Any advice is much appricated! Thank you

 

[Kath44]

I think you're doing ok. He will get used to you in time. Kath.

 

[Hyokenseisou]

Have you looked in the mirror? I'd be scared too. (JUST KIDDING!)

Think about it, you're many times his size. Natural instances is telling him: OH GOD THAT PREDATOR IS GOING TO EAT ME!! THERE'S ITS FACE!!"

Same thing with your hands, if you associate positive things with your face (ie, don't joking try to scare him, blow on him, etc - you might think it's harmless, he doesn't know it's a 'joke') he'll get used to it. Slow and minimal interactions at first. Don't necessarily hide your face, but just try and show it's it's not going to eat him. Occasionally bring your face near him when holding (or vice versa). If he opens mouth/hiss/etc, back off, give him a few, and try again. A few times every so often and eventually he'll get the point "oh... it's not going to eat me". I believe they CAN recognize faces, because my old veiled, if he saw him, he would claw at the cage to come out on to me. If anyone else walked by, he could care less. He also would NOT hand feed from anyone else but me. So the main thing, just give him time.

 

[werecat]

My chameleon was afraid of my husband and I for more than a month when we got him. He would hide whenever we walked in the room. He would eventually take food from us, but was still frightened by the sight of us. Over time he grew used to us and now we can walk right up to him and it doesn't seem to bother him. He can tell the difference between us and strangers and is definitely comfortable with us. I say give it time. It may take more time than you think but hopefully the little guy will acclimate to you.

 

[fleetwoodchams]

My chameleon was afraid of my husband and I for more than a month when we got him. He would hide whenever we walked in the room. He would eventually take food from us, but was still frightened by the sight of us. Over time he grew used to us and now we can walk right up to him and it doesn't seem to bother him. He can tell the difference between us and strangers and is definitely comfortable with us. I say give it time. It may take more time than you think but hopefully the little guy will acclimate to you.

Same here with my son's girlfriend. She loves the chams but gets excited and noisy and wants to lean in close. She means no harm but they see it as a predator and shy away.

Try less eye contact. I know when I hand feed. I offer then look away because my little gems always have one eye on me trying to see what I,m doing. : )

Oh I noticed mine don't like when I wear red either . go figure