Aggressive/Moody Panther Chameleon

[Diego Lamb]

The title says it all. I've had my Male Panther for about a month. As far as I know he is 6months old. I've handled him three times since owning him (putting him in/cleaning the enclosure). I understand that Chameleons aren't fond of handling...but my guy hates it! He displays the typical dark colours, buffs himself up, snaps at my hand, and makes a sort of hissing noise!

So I guess my question to you is a general one about Panther Chameleon personalities. Do you think he will grow out of this over time? If the answer is yes, do you think I should make more of an attempt to get him used to handling? How should I go about 'taming' him without causing him too much stress?

The pet shop I got him from was a very busy one. He was kept in a glass vivarium with three females of the same age. He has grown substantially since I got him, he has shed his skin once, and I believe his enclosure is now far too small for him...waiting on an upgrade to arrive.

 

[Carlton]

The title says it all. I've had my Male Panther for about a month. As far as I know he is 6months old. I've handled him three times since owning him (putting him in/cleaning the enclosure). I understand that Chameleons aren't fond of handling...but my guy hates it! He displays the typical dark colours, buffs himself up, snaps at my hand, and makes a sort of hissing noise!

So I guess my question to you is a general one about Panther Chameleon personalities. Do you think he will grow out of this over time? If the answer is yes, do you think I should make more of an attempt to get him used to handling? How should I go about 'taming' him without causing him too much stress?

The pet shop I got him from was a very busy one. He was kept in a glass vivarium with three females of the same age. He has grown substantially since I got him, he has shed his skin once, and I believe his enclosure is now far too small for him...waiting on an upgrade to arrive.

He's a "teenager" and many chams do go through a moody phase at about this age. The small enclosure could be part of it, but he may just be a surly boy. Chams are definitely individuals! To help him tolerate you, make sure he has enough cover to hide and watch your daily activity while hidden. Put the cage as high off the ground as you can. Helps them feel more secure. Develop your daily chores into a routine...lights, foggers, misters, etc. on timers. Chams hate change! Try offering him a favorite feeder treats in person, first holding it in some sort of container and as he gets used to that you can offer it by hand. If you need to move him out of the cage try using a perch in one hand and coaxing him towards it with your other hand. Not all crabby chams follow through with an actual bite, but again that may depend on your fellow.

 

[xraygirl]

I found mine in a small plastic box completely fired up because of the stress of the reptile show (he was in a snake display box). When I got him home he came right out to me and drank water for an hour, and ate a little bit from my hand. Once he was in his cage he was really shy. I never did anything that would make him want to get puffy at me. I moved very slowly, and I always offered him crickets by hand. It literally took MONTHS and months of patience, patience and more patience and he now comes out on his own.... he's still a little shy, but he doesn't get fired up (I've only ever seen him do it twice, and the few times I've done it, he won't respond to a mirror). He does get puffy and opens his mouth at me if I move too fast around him, or he just really isn't in the mood to have an iphone taking pictures of him....